PEORIA (25News Now) -The Peoria City Council delayed action for two weeks whether cannabis dispensaries can offer drive-thru service with a special use permit.
A new state law allows licensed cannabis dispensaries to offer pickup or drive-thru service.
Mayor Rita Ali favored the delay, saying she’s conflicted on the topic.
“There haven’t been any criminal problems, shootings, robberies, a lot of crime surrounding our dispensaries, but I don’t know what happens when you bring in a new element like drive-thru purchasing,” the mayor said.
At-large Council members John Kelly, Kiran Velpula, Zach Oyler, and 5th District Council member Denis Cyr voted against putting off the decision.
City staffers are recommending dispensaries apply for a special use permit to operate a drive thru. However, City Manager Patrick Urich said the council is not comfortable extending operating hours beyond 10 p.m., wanting dispensaries to maintain their current schedules.
“I think that we’ve just simply tried to look at that and take a cautious approach to it. And we’re not comfortable with expanding the hours at this point in time,” said Urich.
The city receives 3% of cannabis sales from the four dispensaries operating within Peoria.
The council is expected to consider the issue again at its Nov. 10 meeting
