Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jan 2013
Source: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)
Copyright: 2013 The Daily Herald Company
Contact:  http://www.dailyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107
Author: Russell Lissau

WAUCONDA WEIGHS IMPACT OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

A proposal to legalize the distribution and use of marijuana for
medical purposes in Illinois seems to have stalled, but Wauconda
officials discussed the possible local impact during a meeting Tuesday
night.

State lawmakers began seriously considering the possible legalization
of medical marijuana late last year, but the General Assembly's veto
session is drawing to a close without action on the matter.

Even so, Wauconda Police Chief Douglas Larsson told the village board
it's an issue they should review.

"(This is) an opportunity to talk about what may be coming our way in
the future," Larsson said during the committee-of-the-whole meeting.

The proposal before lawmakers was limited to medical marijuana that
would be distributed at regulated dispensaries, Larsson explained. The
legalization of marijuana possession for recreational use, which
occurred recently in Colorado and Washington state, wasn't on the table.

The current proposal would limit qualified patients to 2 ounces of
marijuana. Patients suffering from cancer, HIV and other painful
diseases have said marijuana use eases the symptoms. The latest
proposal would limit dispensaries to one per state Senate district.
Municipal leaders would not be able to prevent a dispensary from
opening, but they could control where it opens through zoning rules,
Larsson said.

For example, a dispensary may not be appropriate near a school, park
or church, attorney Rudy Magna said.

Magna said he recently visited his son in Denver and saw three active
dispensaries.

"You're going to want to carefully plan for this potential," he
cautioned.

Trustees in Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Grayslake and Lake Forest are
among the officials who have discussed the legislation, which could
resurface later this year in a new form.

The legislation in Springfield is labeled as a pilot program. On
Tuesday, Magna and some trustees questioned if such a program would
pave the way for additional marijuana legalization.

Wauconda's building and zoning committee may take up the matter. No
formal decisions were made Tuesday night.
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MAP posted-by: Matt