Recreational Marijuana Gets Thumbs Up In Arlington Heights

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — The Arlington Heights Village Board has reversed course on its previous vote to not allow recreational marijuana sales in the village. By a 7-1 margin, trustees agreed Monday to move forward with a pilot program at Verilife, a medical cannibas dispensary at 1816 S. Arlington Heights Road.

Mayor Thomas Hayes was the lone dissenting vote, citing at the virtual meeting previous comments he's made on the matter.

"I believe with all my heart that allowing the sale of recreational marijuana in Arlington Heights would be the wrong thing to do and would not enhance the quality of life, and in fact, would diminish the quality of life in Arlington Heights and the reputation that this village has earned for many, many decades now," Hayes said previously.

According to Village Manager Randall Recklaus, Village staff have discussed some issues and concerns they have regarding the arrangement in correspondence with Verilife. He said the pilot program will be exclusive to Verilife.

"We're hoping to be able to put this [an ordinance] in front of the board by late August or early September for further discussion and a vote," Recklaus said.

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