ALLIANCE ? An Illinois company expects to open a dispensary for medical and recreational marijuana in the Carnation City.
The dispensary, called Consume Cannabis, would open "sometime in 2025" at 2160 W. State St. — the former Adultmart site, said Steve Weber, a representative for Progressive Treatment Solutions, also known as PTS, out of Palatine, Illinois.
The company already has locations in Arizona, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, including a cultivation facility in Canton, Weber said. He added the company has more work to complete, including renovations, before the Alliance location opens.
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Weber said they choose locations based on potential high customer support.
In the meantime, the city's Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a conditional use request for the dual-use cannabis dispensary. The request was submitted Aug. 6 by PATH, for Progressive Treatment Solutions. The company needs site plans and other permits approved.
The measure passed unanimously; although, commission member W. John Gross, a former FBI agent and longtime historian, had his reservations. Gross said his personal stance is against marijuana — specifically recreational — but, "I'm not going to hold back something for the community."
Still, "It won't change my views," Gross said.
In early August, Alliance City Council created a cannabis district which opened the possibility of a dispensary within city limits. The district has limitations, including no marijuana facility can be within 1,000 feet of another marijuana facility, to curtail a surge of dispensaries.
Safety-Service Director Mike Dreger said Progressive Treatment Solutions was one of the first companies to express interest in putting a dispensary in Alliance. There have been others, too.
"This will be a very safe and secure facility," Weber told commission members.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or [email protected]. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP