City Council Discusses Adult-Use Cannabis Sales

 

Effingham City Council members Tuesday heard testimony regarding adult use canabis sales.

 

Effingham has already been approved as a location; it's up to the Council to decide whether the sales will take place in Effingham.

 

Sales of medicinal marijuana have been going on in Effingham since 2016. The Clinic Effingham is located on the city's north side and the company that operates The Clinic would also operate the adult-use cannabis sales facility next door.

 

Representatives of Green Thumb Industries, 50% owners of The Clinic Effingham, were on hand. Kelly Esker shared that the adult-use marijuana is the same as medicinal marijuana, except you don't need a card as in the case of medicinal marijuana, you just need to be 21 or older. Not purchasing the card could reduce the cost. Esker also shared that some who might wonder whether the medicinal marijuana would help their physical ailment could try the adult-use marijuana to gauge its effects and, if it's successful, obtain the medicinal marijuana card.

 

Esker said there is much education going on regarding the topic, and said they are starting to see a change of mindset even among the medical community.

 

Two local citizens also spoke in support of the proposed project, saying they personally know how they've been helped, but most of their comments again dealt with medical benefits. 

 

No one spoke solely as to recreational benefits of adult-use marijuana.

 

City Commissioner Larry Micenheimer said he's spoken with many citizens of all walks and the response has been overwhelmingly favorable, so he's in favor of the plan.

 

Mayor Mike Schutzbach said the response he has received has been about 50/50.

 

City Commissioner Merv Gillenwater said he thought that there would be remarks against the project, but there were none. Gillenwater did say that those individuals might attend the next Council meeting to offer their thoughts, since Schutzbach reminded that he would like more discussion of the topic at the next Council meeting before any vote would be scheduled at a subsequent meeting.

 

Adult-use marijuana sales will be legal in Illinois as of January 1.

 

The Council Tuesday also approved construction engineering work on a reconstruction of 2nd Street from Fayette to National Avenues; and adopted a downtown/southtown business area redevelopment program agreement with Midwest Ventures allocating $50,000 toward the cost of exterior improvements to the former First National Bank of Effingham building at Banker and Jefferson.

 

Council members voted to annex into the City Golden Fields Subdivision off Charlotte Street, Willenborg Ridge Subdivision off Mini Hills Drive, land north of Rickelman Avenue owned by Chris Alan Koester, and land owned by Ryan and Stephanie Mitchell along South Willow Street.

 

(NEW POLICE LIEUTENANT TOM WEBB IS GIVEN HIS PIN BY HIS WIFE, HEATHER)

 

 

 

The Council witnessed the promotion of two city police officers to new ranks; Tom Webb to Lieutenant and Tony Stephens to Sergeant. The promotions fill vacancies and were recommended by the City Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.

 

(CITY POLICE SERGEANT TONY STEPHENS RECEIVES HIS PIN FROM WIFE LAURA)

 

 

 

Also approved was holding the 2nd Annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade on Sunday, November 3 downtown. Washington Avenue will be closed from 3rd to Banker Street to allow for the procession. The Council also voted to award water main replacement work along Jefferson Avenue, west from Merchant to Maple Streets, for just under $170,000.

 

City Treasurer Caitlin Phillips reported on the status of the fire pension fund and police pension fund and how the Council might decide to levy to maintain the funds. There was some discussion about merging the two funds, but the majority indicated things are going well now and, despite nudging to merge from the State, that the status quo should be maintained.

 

City Administrator Steve Miller reported that negotiations are underway to lower the City's electric rate, and that an extension of the current agreement could result in the lower rate. The Council is expected to vote at their next meeting on authorizing Miller to make the decision as to how to proceed. 

 

City Engineer Jeremy Heuerman said pavement markings will be placed on the new Jefferson Avenue downtown this next Monday.

 

Assistant Fire Chief Matt Kulesza reported that work is moving ahead well on the future City Fire Station #2 on Jaycee Avenue.

 

The Arrow of Lights Cub Scout Pack was present to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance, as they work toward their Building a Better World badge.