EAST PEORIA, Ill. – Cannabis dispensaries are still okay in East Peoria. Commercial cannabis-growing operations, however, are not.
The East Peoria City Council Tuesday night voted to change its ordinances to disallow cultivation facilities, on a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Mark Hill says the city has gotten smarter since the ordinance was first passed.
“Usually, they require a great amount of space,” said Hill. “Even if they found the space, we do not think it’s in the best interest of the city. So, those are being eliminated from the ordinance.”
East Peoria Mayor John Kahl says what’s more, if a drive he recently took on Interstate 39 near Oglesby is any indication, cultivation sites tend to smell bad.
“You can smell it a mile before you get there, either way, north or southbound,” said Kahl. “I, personally, just don’t think it would be a good fit for our city.”
There aren’t any cultivation centers already in East Peoria.
