DeKalb planning commission recommends allowing on‑site edible consumption lounges at dispensaries

The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday recommended that the City Council amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to allow on‑site consumption lounges at licensed cannabis dispensaries, limited to non‑inhaled products such as edibles.

The change, proposed by the City of DeKalb and discussed at a public hearing on July 7, would permit a consumption lounge of up to 1,000 square feet in a dispensary if the applicant submits a responsible operations plan, staffing and training plans, a security plan including a licensed security guard, and a product waste/destruction plan consistent with Illinois administrative regulations.

City staff told commissioners that the proposal follows a May 27 City Council discussion in which council members expressed support for allowing tasting rooms. The amendments would apply to both existing dispensaries named in the staff report and to future applicants; staff noted that the rules would bar smoking, vaping or other inhalation in the on‑site lounges and would require employee oversight and…