Since opening in May on Lynch Road, Sunnyside has been able to sell adult-use recreational cannabis products, but it does not have the designation of a medical marijuana store.
Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. says Sunnyside does not have a designation from the state as a medical marijuana facility, meaning it has to impose the full sales tax on the product. He said Sunnyside would like to be able to have medicinal marijuana sales, but the issue is with the State of Illinois, which does not permit them to do so.
“They have looked at the option of possibly providing a discount for those with a medical card, in order to offset some of that tax expense,” Williams said. “We are looking forward to hearing back from them as to whether or not that is something that’s going to be possible.”
Alderman Dan Duncheon said that while the city wouldn’t make money off of cannabis sales, the store is still a service to its residents. He said the tax on regular cannabis products is about 30 percent, and he said if people want cannabis at medicinal rates, they have to go to Champaign.
“It’s no big deal for me to drive down the interstate, but for a lot of people, that’s a major trip, because they don’t have adequate transportation,” Duncheon said.
Duncheon said he would like for the city to be able to help Sunnyside be able to obtain a medical marijuana license. Mayor Williams said the issue is entirely with the state, not local officials.
