A cannabis kiosk located inside Brookfield Square Mall is causing a stir in the community. An alderman has proposed removing the kiosk, while its owner insists that it operates safely, securely, and legally. Bill Fuchs, owner of Ethereal Gold Dispensary, highlighted the kiosk’s offerings, stating, “These are all gummies.”
The kiosk has been selling cannabis products since December 2023 and previously included psychedelic mushrooms, which Fuchs removed at the mall’s request. He emphasized the kiosk’s compliance with the law, noting that it requires photo IDs and that customers must be 21 years old and possess a valid credit card to make a purchase.
Community members have voiced mixed opinions about the kiosk. Alderman Mike Hallquist expressed concerns over the potential for youth access to cannabis products, pointing out that there are existing regulations against selling tobacco and alcohol from vending machines. He believes cannabis products should be similarly controlled, stating, “I do worry about adolescent misuse.”
The community’s reaction has been varied, with some questioning whether young people even frequent malls anymore. Cheryl Wolfe, a local resident, commented, “Do kids hang around the mall anymore? I haven’t been in a mall in awhile.” Meanwhile, Dave Wise, another community member, expressed indifference, asking, “If they aren’t going to regulate it, who cares?”
Fuchs acknowledged Hallquist’s concerns, indicating that he shares the desire to prevent sales to minors. “We take age compliance very seriously here,” he affirmed. The mayor of Brookfield has referred the proposal for an ordinance against self-service kiosks to a committee, with Hallquist anticipating that a formal ordinance will be introduced in the coming months.
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