Illinois: Trustees approve permits for cannabis dispensary in Flossmoor Commons

The Flossmoor Village Board unanimously approved a special use permit Monday, Nov. 2, that would allow Aces Dispensary to establish the village’s first adult-use cannabis dispensary at 3327 Vollmer Road in the Flossmoor Commons shopping center.

The proposed dispensary, operated by Osiris Holdings LLC, is expected to generate between $7 million and $8.5 million in annual sales and create approximately 30 to 35 full- and part-time jobs, according to village documents.

The business will occupy a vacant 3,750-square-foot commercial space previously used by a ReMax real estate office and, more recently, The Mommie Experience, a selfie museum and event venue.

The approval follows a unanimous recommendation from the Flossmoor Plan Commission, which held a public hearing on the proposal Oct. 15.

Trustee Gary Daggett requested that the ordinance be removed from the consent agenda for discussion, citing questions about signage restrictions, cannabis taxation and the proposed business.

Daggett noted that the village had amended its zoning regulations to permit cannabis dispensaries several years ago and said newer board members could benefit from reviewing those requirements.

Under village regulations, cannabis dispensaries cannot display images of marijuana or related paraphernalia on exterior signage or in windows visible from outside the building. Signage is also subject to the same size restrictions governing other businesses in the shopping center.

Village officials explained that the dispensary’s signage would be limited to one-tenth of its storefront frontage area, with final dimensions to be determined during the permitting process.

Daggett also requested clarification about the village’s cannabis tax structure.

Village Manager Bridget Wachtel explained that Flossmoor imposes a 3% local cannabis tax in addition to the regular sales tax and applicable state cannabis taxes. The local tax was adopted several years ago when the village established its cannabis zoning regulations.

Based on the company’s projected annual sales, the village’s 3% cannabis tax could generate approximately $210,000 to $255,000 annually if those projections are realized and all projected sales are subject to the tax.

Dispensary plans flower shop-themed entrance

Monsaur Othman, founder and CEO of Aces Dispensary and its affiliated High Haven Dispensary, addressed trustees about the company’s approach to operating cannabis retail locations.

Othman explained that the company incorporates distinctive themes into its dispensaries to create a different shopping experience.

“So we try to do a theme for each dispensary just to stand out and just for the aesthetics of the location,” Othman said.

For the Flossmoor location, the company plans to create a flower shop-themed reception area featuring dried flowers and decorative displays.

“But this one in particular, we’re looking at a flower shop theme,” Othman said. “Like dry flowers in the front, just to give it a really nice image, and then it’s what we call a speakeasy.”

Customers would enter through the reception area, undergo identification verification and pass through a secured door before accessing the cannabis sales floor.

Othman emphasized that cannabis products would not be visible from the sidewalk or displayed in the reception area.

“No products would be displayed. We cannot display actual product,” he said.

Aces and its affiliate currently operate four dispensaries in Illinois, with locations in Darien, Normal, Elgin and Plainfield. The Flossmoor location would become the company’s fifth.

Trustees question security and proximity to schools

Trustee Lofton questioned Othman about security measures and whether the proposed Flossmoor dispensary would follow procedures established at the company’s other locations.

Othman said the business maintains security personnel during operating hours and uses surveillance systems throughout its facilities.

“We have security from the moment we open to the moment we close,” Othman said.

He explained that the company’s surveillance systems use 4K cameras recording around the clock, with coverage throughout the facilities except restrooms. He added that Illinois State Police can access surveillance footage without advance notice.

Othman said the company’s existing locations have not experienced security problems and that similar measures would be implemented in Flossmoor.

The proposed facility also will include a reinforced vault, motion detectors, glass-break protection, duress alarms and electronically controlled access to restricted areas, according to village documents.

Trustee Rosalind Mustafa raised questions about the village’s requirement prohibiting cannabis dispensaries from operating within 1,000 feet of an elementary, middle or high school.

The trustee asked whether a school or childcare facility could subsequently open within that distance after the dispensary already had begun operating.

The village’s legal representative indicated that an established dispensary would likely be permitted to continue operating but acknowledged that the specific circumstances, particularly involving childcare facilities, would require further legal review.

The village’s zoning regulations also prohibit on-premises cannabis consumption and limit Flossmoor to one cannabis dispensing organization at a time.

During the discussion, trustees also asked about customer discounts. Othman said the company offers discounts for veterans, medical cannabis cardholders and older adults.

One trustee praised the company for the thoroughness of its presentation before the Plan Commission, noting that its representatives had clearly addressed questions about the proposed operation.

Additional approvals required before opening

Although the Village Board approved the special use permit, the dispensary must complete additional regulatory steps before opening.

Aces currently holds a conditional adult-use dispensary license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The license allows the company to secure a location and complete construction, but a final state inspection is required before an operating license can be issued.

The village’s police, fire and building departments also must complete inspections before a certificate of occupancy can be issued.

According to the application, the proposed operating hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Following the board’s unanimous vote, Mayor Michelle Nelson congratulated the company’s representatives.

“Congratulations, and we look forward to seeing your plans developing,” Nelson said.

A projected opening date has not been announced.

Trustees approve permits for cannabis dispensary in Flossmoor Commons