A group of residents say they’re opposing plans to build a medical marijuana dispensary in a residential Chicago neighborhood.
MedMar, Inc., the company applying to own and operate a cannabis dispensary at a vacant building in the Lakeview neighborhood, made a second pitch to residents Tuesday evening, but residents say they’re concerned about the facility’s proposed location.
“The issue is the location,” said resident Galina Kapustina. “I’m pregnant and we have two more. If it was a more industrial area I could understand, but we’re right behind the building.”
A MedMar spokesman says the company is meeting state standards surrounding the location of the building and is abiding by city ordinances.
“The concern is that people who will purchase this will attract activity we don’t want here,” said Kapustina.
“There’s a big safety concern,” said resident Joe Eskey. “Significant inventory, people moving in and out… We’d love to see something go in, just not a medical marijuana facility.”
MedMar assured residents Tuesday that product deliveries would be made under heightened security and surveillance and highlighted the benefits of medical marijuana already legally sold in other states.
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The East Lake View Neighbors association voted Monday to approve a zoning change giving a special-use permit to MedMar, but the city will make the ultimate decision on Nov. 21.
