SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — For the first time in the state's history, people can legally buy and consume marijuana at the same place.

HCI Alternatives applied to open a consumption lounge connected to its dispensary location in downtown Springfield, at the corner of 7th and Adams streets. The Springfield City Council approved the lounge at a meeting on Tuesday.

A targeted opening date has not yet been determined. The dispensary will iron out the details of the consumption area concept over the next several months, according to a release from HCI Alternatives.

This is the first time a local municipality has granted approval to allow public consumption in Illinois. It allows travelers to consume marijuana legally.

“There are lots of restrictions,” on the use of the product, Springfield Alderman Doris Ward, D-3rd Ward told the Post-Dispatch earlier this year. “So I think it’s only fair there are locations where people can legally consume.”

While there are no concrete plans at this point to open a consumption lounge at HCI Alternatives' Collinsville dispensary, the Springfield decision allows HCI to develop the concept in Collinsville, said HCI spokesman Chris McCloud.

HCI Alternatives becomes Illinois Supply & Provisions on Jan. 27. The company, an operator with retail and production facilities in multiple states, plans to open two more recreational-only Illinois dispensaries in Springfield and Fairview Heights this year.

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