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Carbondale City Council Weighs Cannabis Sales

Steph Whiteside/WSIU
Carbondale City Council members discuss the status of recreational marijuana sales.

Carbondale's city council discussed sales of recreational marijuana at their meeting Tuesday night.

Illinois has passed legislation allowing recreational marijuana use starting in January 2020, but cities can opt-out of allowing sales. Marion and Murphysboro have both voted not to let dispensaries operate within city limits.

Carbondale councilman Adam Loos noted that allow sales would benefit Carbondale thanks to tax revenue and tourism from neighboring states. 

A show of hands showed that most Carbondale citizens who attended the meeting were in favor of allowing dispensaries in Carbondale. Only one person attending spoke up to oppose sales.

The council also discussed logicstical issues related to the sale of marijuana, including revisions to zoning codes and paraphernalia laws that prohibit the sale of related products like glass pipes.

Taxes were also discussed, with some council members speaking in favor of adding the maximum 3% marijuana tax that cities can oppose, while others preferred a minimal tax to track sales.

"Already off the bat, before we do anything, you're paying 18.75 percent taxes," Loos said, regarding sales taxes and the state-wide marijuana tax. "Not to be punny, but that's kinda high."

Council members also debated on how any tax money could be used. Loos suggested funding parks and green spaces, while Mayor Mike Henry supported using the money to fund social programs addressing poverty and discrimination.

The council will hold a formal vote on allowing sales at their next meeting.

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