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GLEN CARBON, IL (KTVI) – Residents rallied against one of the St. Louis area's first possible medical marijuana stores proposed for Glen Carbon, Illinois, Wednesday night. They demanded their village board write a letter of opposition to the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

The State of Illinois and not the village board has the final say on the matter.

More than a dozen residents spoke passionately in opposition.

No one spoke in favor.

Residents seemed astonished when the board voted against sending the letter by a 3-2 vote.

The dispensary would go into a building that was a pharmacy and a bank prior to that, at Highway 157 and Ginger Creek. There's a subdivision full of families right behind it along with a Girl Scout regional office across the parking lot. There’s also a common area residents call "The Mill" across the street, where kids play and people often take family photos.

Marijuana became legal for medical use in Illinois in January. Dispensaries have to be at least 1000 feet from a school. The Edwardsville High School athletic complex is beyond that by only about 150 feet. There are school bus stops throughout the neighborhood.

But opponents on the board cited legal concerns over the passion of the residents.

The applicant for the dispensary, Nature’s Care, NCC, LLC, could take legal action against the Village of Glen Carbon if the board sent an official letter of opposition, board members said.

All board members said they had or would write personal letters of opposition as Glen Carbon residents.

This is one of 11 applicants for an Illinois dispensary in the St. Louis region. Only 2 will be awarded. So there’s a chance there won’t be a dispensary in Glen Carbon anyway. The decision should come next month.

You can voice your support or opposition by contacting:

IL Department of Financial and Professional Regulation,

Division of Professional Regulation – Medical Cannabis

James R. Thompson Ctr.

100 W. Randolph, 9th Floor

Chicago, IL 60601

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