Illinois Cannabis Tourism Taking Root
Traditional Summer Getaway Ready for New Form of Recreation – LPC
Illinois cannabis tourism is taking root in an unusual location. Fox Lake, Illinois has long been a summer getaway for Chicagoans in the south, and Wisconsinites from the north. The resort town is part of the Chain O’Lakes area on the border of the two states. It’s been a cottage area for about a hundred years – even Al Capone is rumoured to have travelled up to the famous Mineola Hotel. Its population is officially about 10,000 people, but that can swell to 100,000 during the summer months. That makes it the perfect location for Illinois cannabis tourism, some think.
“We want to help really make this an anchor for a new development zone,” said Chip Eldredge a representative of JMC Enterprises. JMC owns the property – a former car dealership – and is working a deal with Shermer Farms. If all goes well, Shermer Farms’ plans will make the area a Mecca for Illinois cannabis tourism.
Assuming Shermer Farms gets its licences – it will know by July – the facility will open as a dispensary, craft grower, and edibles producer. It will also allow onsite consumption. One thing it probably won’t have that would make it a complete Illinois cannabis tourism experience is tours like craft brewers do.
“I don’t think the state is going to allow that,” said Shermer Farms lawyer Ryan McQueeney.
“Best Cannabis in the World” Will Drive Illinois Cannabis Tourism – LPC
One thing Shermer Farms does have though, McQueeney said, is quality. “It actually has the best cannabis in the world,” he said. Whether that’s true or not, McQueeney hopes this Illinois cannabis tourism destination will draw people from “all around the country”.
He’s projecting sales from US$25 to $60 million per year, which he believes will generate at least US$1 million in tax revenue for the resort town. Even if it doesn’t become the massive Illinois cannabis tourism hub he’s hoping, Highway 12 is a busy highway with 30,000 cars passing by each day. Plus, cannabis is still illegal in bordering Wisconsin, which could make it the dispensary of choice for them.
Whether or not Shermer Farm’s concept of an Illinois cannabis tourism entertainment district happens, it is an interesting blueprint. Canada had the opportunity to create a similar type of experience. Nobody is surprised we have taken a more restrained approach to cannabis tourism based on our attitudes towards alcohol and tobacco. Not many cannabis tourists are flocking to Canada. However, we wonder if there’s still an opportunity to be had, now that cannabis is becoming more and more accepted in Canada. Events like Wiarton Bongspiel give us hope that more stigma-free attitudes will prevail.
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