The Peoria County Board approved recreational cannabis business zoning and sales taxes at a special meeting Wednesday.
The board voted 13 to 1 to approve the sales tax. Board member Brian Elsasser attempted to amend the zoning ordinance to prohibit cannabis businesses in unincorporated parts of the county.
County Board member Paul Rosenbohm backed the amendment. He says his son's wife and stepson were killed in a car accident where the other driver had used marijuana.
"We hear stories all the time, but until they hit home. Close to somebody you know," he said. "All we're saying is we don't want to sell it in the county. We know that the city's going to sell it, the other ones are going to do it. But let's do our part to stop it."
County Board member Jimmy Dillon says the zoning is needed, just like with taverns. "This does not necessarily say, 'Yes, I approve opening a shop on every corner.' This says we're going to have proper zoning in Peoria County, and these are the properties that are identified," he said.
The amendment failed with three yes votes and 11 no votes. The board then voted 11 to 3 to approve the businesses in unincorporated areas.
195 properties are currently zoned for potential cannabis businesses under the passed ordinance. Each would need a special use permit from the county board to begin cannabis operations.
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