The Joliet City Council is expressing interest in a cannabis dispensary on Jefferson Street, a shift from their previous resistance. The council is set to vote on a proposal for a Veltiste Wellness dispensary located at 2121 W. Jefferson St.
During a workshop meeting, Veltiste CEO Dev Patel informed council members that the dispensary could generate approximately $1 million in net sales per month, resulting in about $360,000 in cannabis taxes for the city. Patel emphasized that the dispensary aims to offer a wide range of products, catering to both medical and recreational users.
Councilman Joe Clement suggested that if the store is approved, Veltiste should hire Joliet police for security. Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra mentioned that her son’s friends travel to the Veltiste dispensary in Carol Stream, noting that it offers the lowest prices in the state. She believes a Joliet location would attract customers from surrounding areas, stating she received “hundreds of emails” in favor of the proposal, with only a few against it.
Councilman Larry Hug, who previously argued that a third dispensary would not increase city tax revenue, questioned Patel about potential sales cannibalization from existing dispensaries in Joliet. Patel responded that they expect to attract more customers who currently do not shop in Joliet rather than just taking business from local stores.
If the council approves the dispensary, it would contradict a unanimous recommendation against it from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Additionally, it would go against a 2022 decision to deny a dispensary at a nearby site, previously a Bakers Square restaurant.
The proposed Veltiste location, a former NAPA Auto Parts store, is not situated near residential areas. Public comments during the meeting were overwhelmingly supportive of the Veltiste proposal, with three speakers, including Roger Dillman, advocating for it. Dillman pointed out that many Joliet residents currently travel to New Lenox for cannabis purchases, indicating that the community is missing out on significant tax revenue. “Right now, our community is giving hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars to New Lenox,” he said, urging the council to approve the new dispensary.
