DeKalb Planning Commission hears cannabis consumption lounge proposal from Excel Leaf

The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on July 6, 2025, kicked off with a significant proposal that could reshape local cannabis regulations. The city is seeking amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to permit on-site consumption lounges at cannabis dispensaries, a move that could enhance the customer experience and boost local business.

The proposal, presented by city staff, follows a discussion by the City Council on May 27, where there was a clear consensus to explore the idea of allowing tasting rooms or consumption lounges. Currently, the UDO prohibits any on-site consumption of cannabis, but the proposed changes would allow limited consumption of edibles at dispensaries like Excel Leaf, located at 305 East Locust.

Nikia McAdoo, the principal of Excel Leaf, initiated the conversation, emphasizing the potential benefits of such lounges. The proposed amendments would also extend to another local dispensary, New Era, on West Lincoln Highway. The commission heard from McAdoo and her colleagues, Maria Davis and Crystal Anderson, who expressed their support for the initiative.

As the meeting progressed, the commission approved the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting, but the focus remained on the cannabis consumption proposal. If approved, this change could mark a significant shift in how cannabis is consumed in DeKalb, aligning local regulations with evolving public attitudes toward cannabis use.

The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for further consideration, with potential implications for both local businesses and community engagement in cannabis culture.