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The former Hickory Point Bank building on Hickory Point Drive is pictured in Forsyth on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
The former Hickory Point Bank building on Hickory Point Drive is pictured in Forsyth on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The building was recently purchased and is slated to be home a cannabis dispensary, that is expected to open in late May.
FORSYTH — Forsyth is poised to be home to Macon County’s second cannabis dispensary.
“We expect to start construction in the next 30 days and we’re targeting the facility to open in late May,” operator/manager Tim O’Hern said.
The dispensary will be in the former Hickory Point Bank building at 1401 Hickory Point Drive. The building was recently sold to 1401 Hickory Point Investments LLC of Vermont, Illinois, for $800,000.
“We are overhauling the exterior of the facility so it’ll have a new look compared to what it’s currently at, but (what that will look like) is still in development,” O’Hern said.
O’Hern said the state licenses are in hand in the name of Illinois Health and Wellness.
The store will be called Bud and Rita’s, named after O’Hern’s grandparents, like the company’s other dispensaries in the Chicago area, he said. Also like those other dispensaries, it will have a “1950s diner” color scheme, with checkerboard floors and lots of chrome.
Forsyth Mayor Jim Peck said all that remains now is for the company to pull building permits to begin construction.
The company has submitted plans to the village, but those plans have not yet been approved, and building permits have not been issued.
In August, the Forsyth Village Board approved a change in the village ordinance to allow a dispensary, though other cannabis-related businesses, such as growers, infusers and processors, are still prohibited within village boundaries.
Macon County voters approved the sale of recreational cannabis in 2020, and so far only one dispensary is open in the county: Mystic Greenz in Harristown.
During meetings to gather community input on the idea of a Forsyth dispensary, residents were split, with some solidly against it and others in favor of allowing such a business.
During discussions before the board’s vote to change the ordinance, Trustee Marilyn Johnson said one of her concerns is for the needs of those who use cannabis for medical reasons. But even for recreational users, Forsyth’s lack of a dispensary is not going to prevent the use of cannabis, she said.
“It’s here,” she said. “It’s not going to change my values or your values. It’s great tax revenue. It’s here, and it’s legalized in Illinois.”
Lawmakers in 2019 made Illinois the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana. The legislation signed by Gov. JB Pritzker made cannabis growth, sales, possession and consumption legal for adults 21 and over.
Company officials have estimated the first year’s tax revenue to the village from the sale of cannabis would be more than $560,000. Michael Morthland, of Illinois Health and Wellness, previously stated the company will donate 3% of its revenue to local charitable causes.
Elsewhere in Macon County, Argenta and Maroa have expressed a willingness to have dispensaries in their communities. Decatur City Council members continue to oppose allowing a dispensary within city limits.
The Macon County Board was approached in May by a group interested in locating a dispensary in the unincorporated area near the Pilot Travel Center near Illinois 48 and Interstate 72. Macon County currently prohibits such businesses in unincorporated areas.
Members of the Forsyth Village Board discuss the ordinance against cannabis establishments.
A line waits to purchase recreational cannabis early on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.
Champaign’s Darrian Boyd, left, and Emma Allen wait in line on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Several hundreds waited for several hours to purchase legal recreational cannabis. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.
Champaign Deputy Mayor Tom Bruno talks with media on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.
Bloomington’s Nathan Guevara, 28, was first in line to purchase recreational cannabis on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.
Nathan Guevara was first in line Wednesday to purchase recreational cannabis from inventory manager Justine Warnick at Sunnyside, 1704 S. Neil St., Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.
Bloomington’s Nathan Guevara, 28, was first in line to purchase recreational cannabis on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.
A line waits to purchase recreational cannabis wraps around the building at NuMed Urbana on 105 E. University Ave in Urbana. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.
A line waits to purchase recreational cannabis early on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.
People wait in line Wednesday morning outside Sunnyside, 1704 S. Neil St. C, Champaign.
People wait in line Wednesday to purchase recreational cannabis at Sunnyside, 1704 S. Neil St., Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.
People wait in line Wednesday morning to purchase recreational cannabis at Sunnyside.
Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter
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The Forsyth Village Board postponed the vote to amend the ordinance allowing a cannabis business.
City council stubs out idea of revisiting the prospect of a dispensary in the city limits even as other communities chew over their options.
Illinois Health and Wellness LLC has approached Forsyth Village Board about opening a cannabis dispensary in the village.
The former Hickory Point Bank building on Hickory Point Drive is pictured in Forsyth on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The building was recently purchased and is slated to be home a cannabis dispensary, that is expected to open in late May.
The former Hickory Point Bank building on Hickory Point Drive is pictured in Forsyth on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
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