Forsyth holds second dispensary meeting

FORSYTH — Forsyth residents filled the public library Thursday evening to discuss a potential dispensary opening in the village.

The village board’s special meeting began with a developer’s presentation on behalf of the interested company, Illinois Health and Wellness LLC. The location of the dispensary within Forsyth has not yet been confirmed. The company has also approached the village of Mount Zion.

Currently, Forsyth does not allow cannabis dispensaries, and most municipalities in Macon County do not. Harristown received the county’s first dispensary, Mystic Greenz, which opened in July 2023. As of July 2024, it remains the lone dispensary in the county. Argenta and Maroa also allow dispensaries but one has not opened in either village.

The meeting was the second gathering by the board and the community to discuss the proposed dispensary before a vote is planned on Tuesday, July 16. The presentation was followed by a public comment session, which drew mixed reactions from the residents.

Proponents of the dispensary argued it would bring in additional tax revenue for both the dispensary and other businesses, secondary economic development, and create new jobs. Forsyth would bring in approximately $500,000 in sales tax revenue annually, according to an estimate obtained by the village.

Opponents argued that it would bring in problems such as crime, impaired driving, and traffic from other communities. Some expressed concerns about the community’s “wholesome image” remaining intact. Two village board members confirmed Thursday afternoon to Heartland Newsfeed that they were opposed to allowing dispensaries in Forsyth. The two members did not specify as to why they were opposed.

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Jacob Hamm

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I am a college senior at Eastern Illinois University. I cover a wide variety of topics across Central Illinois such as protests, artistic and cultural events, local economic development, and the occasional column.

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