A dispensary in DeKalb, Illinois, is looking to introduce a new experience for cannabis enthusiasts: edible tastings. Nakia McAdoo, a founding partner of Canndid Spirit Too LLC, which operates the Excelleaf dispensary, plans to present this idea to the DeKalb City Council during a meeting on Tuesday evening at the DeKalb Public Library.
Excelleaf, located at 305 E. Locust St., opened in November 2023 and is notable for being the first dispensary in DeKalb County. McAdoo’s proposal focuses exclusively on cannabis edibles, unlike other venues that may offer smoking or inhalation options. This initiative aims to create a controlled and enjoyable environment for customers to sample various cannabis-infused products.
The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. due to the Memorial Day holiday, will serve as a platform for discussing the proposal but no voting is expected at this time. City staff have highlighted that towns like Carbondale have allowed similar lounge-type spaces where patrons can consume cannabis on-site, although no local dispensaries have yet adopted this model.
Currently, DeKalb prohibits the consumption of cannabis on dispensary premises. There has been some history with cannabis lounges in the area; for instance, a hookah bar attempted to launch a “bring your own” cannabis option in June 2021 but closed down in October 2022.
City officials noted that smoking lounges require separate ventilation systems due to health concerns associated with smoke exposure. McAdoo’s tasting proposal includes the possibility of a designated area within the dispensary for these events, although its capacity will depend on existing city building codes.
If the council decides to explore amendments to current regulations, a future vote will be necessary. The proposal is expected to generate a 3% sales tax on edible products sold during tastings, contributing to local tax revenue. As the meeting approaches, residents and council members will have the opportunity to discuss the implications and logistics of introducing cannabis edible tastings in DeKalb.
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