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Windy City expects to apply for recreational marijuana license

Homewood dispensary Windy City Cannabis expects to apply for a license to sell recreational or adult use marijuana, CEO Steve Weisman told The Chronicle.

Homewood dispensary Windy City Cannabis expects to apply for a license to sell recreational or adult use marijuana, CEO Steve Weisman told The Chronicle.

Homewood approved a 3 percent tax on the sale of recreational marijuana in September and a zoning ordinance to allow for those sales earlier this month. 

In June, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a bill to legalize recreational sales to adults over 21. The state law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

Weisman said Windy City expects to apply for a recreational sale license soon. Applications are due to the state between Dec. 10 and Jan. 2.

Once that license is approved, Windy City Cannabis recreational use customers can expect a similar experience to the one medical patients get at the dispensary at 1137 175th St. now, just without the necessary medical card. An ID to prove the customer is over 21 will be required, though.

“Once inside the waiting room, there will be staff there to help guide new customers through the menu and ordering process and answer any questions the customer may have. We understand this will be a new experience for a majority of our customers and we are excited to help and educate,” Weisman said. 

A new online pre-order system is being put together, as well.

“(Pre-ordering) will allow (customers) to self-educate and research purchases at their leisure and then come into the store once their order is ready, reducing potential wait times,” Weisman said.

Windy City opened in January 2016. It was the first dispensary for Windy City, which also has locations in Posen, Worth and Justice. Each location will need its own license for adult use sales.

A few hires will be made to reflect the expected increase in demand, Weisman said.

“Our goal of having a superior customer experience will not change,” he said. “We will bring the same care whether we are serving a medical patient or recreational customers. This begins with a well-trained and knowledgeable staff.”

The security staff will increase, as well. 

Wesiman said some physical changes will be made to the building, but didn’t get into specifics. The dispensary already features bulletproof glass, bullet-resistant walls, surveillance and other protective measures. The cannabis is kept inside a vault with a large security door.

Nothing will change on the medical use side of things. Weisman said those patients will still be a critical component to the business. Windy City will likely increase its hours, though. 

The dispensary currently opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. during the week. On weekends, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

“We look forward to continuing to serve Homewood and the surrounding communities and expanding to include adult use. And we are thrilled to bring increased tax revenue and employment opportunities to this area,” Weisman said.
 

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