Recreational Cannabis Information

The state of Illinois has approved the use of recreational cannabis, beginning Jan. 1, 2020. This decision will allow the use of recreational cannabis (with restrictions) in all Illinois municipalities, including Lombard. Below is information on recreational cannabis in the Village of Lombard.

August 26, 2020

On August 20th, the Village Board approved an application for a recreational cannabis facility (Zen Leaf) seeking to open a location at 783 E. Butterfield Rd.

If you have additional questions please contact Jennifer Ganser, Assistant Director of Community Development, at 630-620-5717 or ganserj@villageoflombard.org.

Past Updates

July 22, 2020
On June 26^th, the Village of Lombard received an application for a recreational cannabis facility seeking to open a location at 783 E. Butterfield Rd. This location is within an approved conditional use area and therefore required a Plan Commission hearing. On Monday July 20th, the Plan Commission recommended the petition for approval to the Village Board. The Board will consider the request at their meeting on Thursday, August 20^th at 6 p.m. If approved, the facility can move forward in opening for business.

Frequently Asked Questions: July 22, 2020

July 1, 2020
The Village received an application for a cannabis dispensary at 783 E. Butterfield Road. As the property is in the B3 Zoning District, a conditional use is required. The petitioner, Verano Holdings LLC, would operate under the name Zen Leaf. The Plan Commission public hearing is scheduled for July 20, 2020.

Want to learn more?
FAQ
Plan Commission submittal
General Plan Commission information
Email sign up for public hearing notifications

If you have additional questions please contact Jennifer Ganser, Assistant Director of Community Development, at 630-620-5717 or ganserj@villageoflombard.org.

October 4, 2019
At the Village Board Meeting on Thursday, October 3, the Lombard Board of Trustees voted unanimously (with one abstention), to allow recreational cannabis dispensary facilities in Lombard, in either a permitted or conditional use, depending on location. The video is available on the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org/recreationalcannabis.

The Village Board approved cannabis dispensaries as a permitted use (green) in the O, I, and B4A districts. The Village Board approved cannabis dispensaries as a conditional use (yellow) in the B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, and B5A districts. For reference, O=Office, I=Industrial, B1/B2=neighborhood commercial, B3/B4=corridor commercial, B4A=Roosevelt Rd, B5/B5A=downtown and downtown perimeter. Properties that are a Planned Development (PD) may be subject to different zoning regulations. The Village’s complete zoning map is available at www.villageoflombard.org/maps .

Please contact staff to confirm zoning.

The state of Illinois has approved the use of recreational cannabis, beginning Jan. 1, 2020. This decision will allow the use of recreational cannabis (with restrictions) in all Illinois municipalities, including Lombard. The Village Board’s decision allows for potentially interested businesses that are licensed and regulated to open a recreational cannabis dispensary business in Lombard. Should a business choose a location in a conditional use area (see map), they will require approval from the Plan Commission and the Village Board.

A map of the proposed locations that cannabis could be sold as a permitted use (green) and conditional use (yellow) is here.

Properties that are a Planned Development (PD) may be subject to different zoning regulations. Please contact staff to confirm zoning.

Updated Staff Memo for the October 3rd meeting

Initial Staff Memo and Draft Ordinance

Village Board Meeting from October 4

First Reading at Village Board Meeting, September 19, 2019
At the Village Board Meeting on September 19th, Lombard Trustees considered recommendations from the Plan Commission, regarding the topic of recreational cannabis dispensaries within the Village. The Board agreed with the Plan Commission’s recommendations to include the dispensaries as a permitted use in Districts I (Limited Industrial), B4A (Roosevelt Road), and O (Office), and as a conditional use (requires Plan Commission review and Village Board approval for individual locations) in Districts B1, B2, B3, B4 (neighbor and community retail). The Board proposes that the use be listed as a conditional use in the B5 and B5A (downtown and downtown perimeter) zoning districts. See chart below.

For reference, O=Office, I=Industrial, B1/B2=neighborhood commercial, B3/B4=corridor commercial, B4A=Roosevelt Rd, B5/B5A=downtown and downtown perimeter. Zoning maps can be found online at http://www.villageoflombard.org/maps .

A map of the proposed locations that cannabis could be sold as a permitted use (green) and conditional use (yellow) is here.

Several residents provided their opinions and feedback about the topic during public comment and the video of the meeting is available at www.villageoflombard.org/recreationalcannabis.

Video of Village Board Meeting

September 20, 2019

Presentation Related to Recreational Cannabis Zoning

August 30, 2019
Special Plan Commission Meeting Recommendations

The topic of the sale of recreational cannabis within the Village was recently reviewed at a Special Meeting of the Lombard Plan Commission, on August 29, 2019. The Commission considered zoning text amendments to provide for such sales, as initially discussed in a July 31,2019 Special workshop Session of the Village Board. The Plan Commission recommended approval of the text amendments to provide for such sales as a permitted use in certain districts, but recommended that such sales in the downtown area be prohibited and recommended that such sales uses be listed as conditional uses in the B3 and B4 Commercial Districts.

These recommendations will return to the Village Board for consideration on September 19, 2019. For more information on this topic, visit villageoflombard.org/recreationalcannabis.

View Plan Commission Meeting Video:

August 1, 2019
Village Board Workshop Recommendations

Informational Items

The consideration of zoning associated with future recreational cannabis facilities was recently discussed by the Village Board at a Recreational Cannabis 101 Workshop on Wednesday, July 31 at 7 p.m., at Village Hall. The discussion was informational only and designed to allow Board Members the opportunity to ask questions related to recreational cannabis businesses opening within Lombard. No final decisions were made.

While no formal action was taken at the workshop, the Village Board did provide direction to staff to prepare a text amendment petition to be presented to the Lombard Plan Commission. Key items in the text amendment would include:

1. Amend the Village Code to establish a definition for “Cannabis Dispensing Facility,”

2. Amend the Zoning Ordinance to permit cannabis dispensing facilities in the following districts:

As a permitted use in Districts I (Limited Industrial), B3, B4, B4A, and O (Office)
As a conditional use (requires Plan Commission review and Village Board approval for individual locations) in Districts B1, B2, B5, and B5A (neighborhood, downtown and community retail locations);

3. Prohibit cannabis smoking/consumption in business establishments;

4. Prohibit cannabis cultivation, grower, processing, and transportation facilities within the Village.

Please note that these recommendations are intended to establish code regulations in Lombard that would need to be followed by a prospective business. It is not granting approval of any particular establishment or location.

The Village Board also recommended that an item be placed on a future Village Board agenda, to consider the adoption of an optional 3% municipal retailers’ tax.

The next steps for this process will include a Special Meeting of the Plan Commission on Thursday, August 29. At this public hearing, the above text amendments recommended by the Village Board, will be considered.

View Video of Special Village Board Workshop: Recreational Cannabis 101

Recreational Cannabis FAQs

When was cannabis made legal in Illinois?
On Tuesday 6/25/2019, Governor JB Pritzker signed Illinois House Bill 1438, better known as the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), thus legalizing the consumption and possession of cannabis for adults 21 and older in Illinois.
Can the consumption/possession of cannabis be banned by a local municipality like Lombard?
No, municipalities cannot ban or override the CRTA.
Will the Village have any regulatory abilities?
Yes. When it comes to restrictions, municipalities have the ability to:
- ban the selling of recreational cannabis within Village limit
- dictate the amount of legal dispensaries within the Village
- determine how cannabis businesses are operated such as hours of operation
- dictate the location of cannabis businesses as they relate to points of interest such as schools, churches,
government buildings, and liquor stores.
- regulate the zoning of cannabis businesses in specific districts
What regulatory abilities, if any, do business owners and landlords have?
Any person, business, public entity, or landlord may prohibit the use of cannabis on private property.
If the sale of recreational cannabis was to be allowed in Lombard, how many licenses would be issued?
While many individual cities have a limitation on the amount of recreational cannabis facilities (dispensaries) that are allowed within their limits, Lombard is part of a larger Bureau of Labor Statistics Region within the state. The region Lombard is a part of is the Chicago-Naperville, Elgin region. The State is allowing up to 47 licenses within the region.
Should the Village permit dispensaries to open, how will the Village manage public safety at these locations?
The Lombard Police Department surveyed communities that currently contain a medial cannabis facility within its limits and found that there were limited calls to such facilities statewide. Public safety is the Village’s top priority and any specific security concerns will be addressed.
Who can legally purchase and consume cannabis?
As a result of the new State legislation, the consumption of cannabis as of 1/1/2020, will be treated similarly to that of the consumption of alcohol with any Illinois resident, or non-resident, ages 21 or over, now being able to purchase and consume cannabis.
Who can legally grow and sell recreational cannabis?
Only licensed businesses will be able to legally grow and sell cannabis. Medical cannabis patients will be allowed to grow up to five plants each within their home.
What will the Village’s role be in the licensing process?
The Village plays no role in the licensing process as it is left up to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to select and process those individuals attempting to obtain a license.
How much cannabis may an individual possess?
Illinois residents may possess up to:
-30 grams, or just over one ounce of “flower”
-5 grams of cannabis concentrate
-500 milligrams of THC - the chemical that makes users high – in a cannabis infused product such as gummies, candy, other consumable products (referred to as “edibles”), or tinctures, and lotions

Non-Illinois residents may legally possess up to ½ of these amounts.
What action is required by the Village Board to allow recreational cannabis to be sold in Lombard?
The Village Board will go through multiple readings regarding the sale of recreational cannabis in Lombard before giving a final approval or disapproval. In addition to this, the Village code of ordinances will be changed accordingly.
Will cannabis consumption be allowed in public spaces?
No, the consumption of cannabis in public will be considered unlawful.
Where will consumption be allowed?
The consumption of cannabis will be allowed on private property or potentially, specifically designated establishments such as dispensaries or smoking lounges.
Are there any changes to existing medical cannabis laws?
Yes; the list of conditions that are covered under the use of medial cannabis was expanded to now include chronic pain, autism, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoarthritis, and anorexia.
Is the sale of medical cannabis currently allowed in Lombard? If so, where?
Yes. By state and local ordinance, medical cannabis was approved in 2014 and its sale is permitted in Lombard as a conditional use in the office district. While these facilities are allowed in Lombard, no such business has opted to open in Lombard.
How is cannabis taxed?
Sales will be taxed at 10% for cannabis with THC levels at or less 35%; 25% for cannabis with THC levels above 35%; and 20% for cannabis infused products such as edibles. This is in addition to standard state and local sales taxes. Additionally, municipalities may add a special tax of up to 3% and counties may add a special tax up to 3.75% in unincorporated areas.
How will the potential tax revenue generated be used?
Within the bill, any government proceeds associated with the sale of recreational cannabis was established as follows:
-20% to State mental health services and substance abuse programs
-10% to pay unpaid State bills -35% to the State General Revenue Fund
-2% to public education and safety campaigns
-8% to the Local Government Distributive Fund, for prevention and training for law enforcement
-25% for identified social equity programs
How will the potential tax revenue from the (3%) tax be used by Lombard?
Currently, the Village has no plans in place for these potential funds. The expectation of staff is that the 3% sales tax would go toward the General Fund but it is not yet certain.
How do federal laws affect Illinois’ law?
Although cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, federal law enforcement has rarely interfered with individuals possessing the state regulated legal amount or businesses complying with state enforced programs. Any questions related to Federal or State regulations should be directed to the proper agencies.
How does recreational cannabis affect criminal records?
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has stated that he will pardon past convictions for possession of up to 30 grams, with the attorney general going to court to delete public records of a conviction or arrest for the now legal amount. Regarding possession of 30-500 grams, an individual or a state’s attorney may petition the court to vacate or expunge the conviction.
What are some potential impacts to the State’s decision to allow recreational marijuana use when it comes to policing?
It is reasonable to assume that the legalization of cannabis will increase the demand for police services as well as the number of drug impaired drivers on our roadways, due to the state-wide allowance of marijuana, regardless of whether or not such a facility is located within the city limits of Lombard.
What efforts will the Village take in communicating to the public about this topic?
The Village is committed to above board communication and honest transparency at each step that should occur. Ahead of each time that this topic will be considered on any Village committee or board agenda, the Village will share information about the upcoming meeting on Facebook, Twitter, and in the Village’s weekly e-pride newsletter. All meetings will also be posted on the Village Calendar and agendas will be available at: https://www.villageoflombard.org/209/View-Agendas-Minutes
How can I share my thoughts or opinions on this topic as a resident or community member?
Please email recreationalcannabis@villageoflombard.org with any thoughts or concerns. Additionally, public comment at Village Board and Committee Meetings is available for any member of the public.