Grundy Reporter

The Grundy County Board has approved an amendment outlawing the sales of recreational cannabis in the county once the legalization of recreational cannabis goes into effect across Illinois on Jan. 1

Board members convincingly shot down the measure by a 14-4 vote, with the text amendment prohibiting the operations of cannabis growers, cultivation centers, dispensing organizations, infuser organizations, processing organizations and transporting organizations within Grundy County limits.

Still, the debate may not end there, as board member Jim Ryan has indicated he would prefer to have voters additionally weigh in on the matter via a referendum on whether to ban or not to ban. The referendum question will now go before the Law and Justice Committee, with the full board expected to take a vote on how to place the issue on the ballot sometime next month.

While the consumption of cannabis is slated to become legal across the state in 2020, municipalities and county boards across the state are deciding whether to allow the sales and operations within their jurisdictions.