Rockford considers new rules to allow for cannabis consumption lounges
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The city is considering new rules that would allow for cannabis consumption lounges, where people can sit and smoke marijuana in a social setting.
The state allowed for such lounges when it legalized recreational cannabis in 2020, but they’re only permitted if local governments establish rules to authorize it.
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City Council members will be asked to consider a series of regulations that permit lounges only when they’re attached to a state-licensed dispensary. In Rockford, those are Lyfe Dispensary, 6774 Troy Drive, Mapleglen Care Center, 4777 Stenstrom Road, and Sunnyside, 2696 McFarland Road.
“Licensed dispensaries are heavily regulated by the state of Illinois. They have very stringent rules, including very stringent security rules,” City Attorney Nick Meyer said. “We’re much more comfortable requiring that those be attached to a licensed dispensary because there’s already a great deal of oversight.”
The City Council’s Code & Regulation Committee will begin reviewing the rules on Monday. The proposed regulations are intended to allow for consumption while safeguarding against concerns such as intoxicated driving with required appointments and designated drivers.
Meyer said in a memo to aldermen that the city started drafting rules after hearing interest from Lyfe Dispensary, a locally owned shop which opened in mid-November.
Proponents such as Lyfe Dispensary say cannabis consumption lounges create a safe and legal environment for adults to consume cannabis away from minors. They also offer a space for education and social interaction within a regulated setting.
“These lounges are vital for providing adults with a safe and legal environment to consume cannabis, especially for those living in non-smoking properties or those who need safe space to consume out of the view of minors,” Mike Hodges, one of the owners of Lyfe, said in a message to the Rock River Current. “We view cannabis lounges as crucial for safe, responsible consumption, offering a space for community education and social interaction within a regulated setting.
“Lyfe Dispensary is committed to the well-being of our community and supports the development of cannabis lounges as a step forward in ensuring safe access to cannabis for all adults in Illinois.”
Mapleglen Care Center said it is also watching to see the rules the city creates. Messages to Sunnyside were not returned.
“Mapleglen Care Center is always interested in new ventures, so I look forward to seeing the proposed rules,” Amy Manganelli, chief operating officer of Mapleglen, said in an email response to the Current.
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Meyer said the city studied the rules and safeguards put in place in other communities including Mundelein, Carbondale, Wheeling and Sesser.
“While there are not many municipalities that have established on-site consumption ordinances, it is anticipated that more and more municipalities will considering legislation in the near future,” Meyer wrote in the memo.
He and Mayor Tom McNamara both said that other communities they contacted have not reported increased incidents of driving under the influence or calls for service.
“To each community, to a T, all of them have said that they have seen no negative consequences or impacts based on the legalization of a cannabis consumption lounge,” McNamara said.
The largest concern, much like with bars, centers around preventing intoxicated driving. The city’s proposed rules would require lounges to be used by appointment only and those appointments can last no more than two hours.
Groups must also confirm a designated driver, who will have cannabis products removed from their table at least 30 minutes before leaving.
The lounges are not permitted to operate past midnight.
Approval of the ordinance would create the process for a lounge license. Dispensaries would then need to apply for that license.
Eric Guenther, the village administrator and former police chief for Mundelein, said the Chicago suburb has similar rules and has not had any issues with its sole lounge, which is run by RISE Recreational Cannabis Dispensary. He said Green Thumb Industries, which owns RISE, has been a good partner to the village.
He said RISE arranged free Uber and Lyft rides for customers in the early weeks of the lounge. While no longer offering it for free, it still encourages and helps arrange ride share service for customers, Guenther said.
Mundelein was also home to the state’s first music festival with permitted cannabis consumption. “It went off with out a hitch,” Guenther said.
He said the village started with small steps to allow for cannabis consumption lounges to operate before opening it up to larger events such as the music festival.
The city’s Code & Regulation Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 425 E. State St., to begin discussion on the proposal.
Quick look | Cannabis consumption
Here’s a quick look at proposed rules for cannabis consumption lounges in the city.
- Cannabis consumption lounges must be operated by and attached to a state-licensed dispensary
- Lounges may operate during the hours of the dispensary and up to two hours after the dispensary closes, but no later than midnight.
- Patrons must make a reservation that lasts no more than two hours. (That two-hour limit is waived for special events when the lounge is rented in its entirety.)
- Groups must confirm a designated driver with the operator of the lounge.
- Lounges cannot operate in conjunction with a bar
- Consumption in an outdoor patio is prohibited unless specifically approved by the city in a site plan.
- All cannabis must be purchased on site. No bring-your-own-cannabis is allowed.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
