# Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-9-0129 allowing lawful cannabis dispensaries to modify operations to include medical cannabis without triggering Section 17-9-0129.1

[Votes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/legislation) › [Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/zoning-landmarks-and-building-standards) › [44th Ward: Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44)

Clerk's short name: Same-site medical authorization

- Record number: **SO2026-0028463**
- Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
- Status: Final
- Sponsor: [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (44th Ward)
- Co-sponsors (1): [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (34th Ward)
- Committee: [Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/zoning-landmarks-and-building-standards)
- Introduction Date: Sep 23, 2026
- Final Action Date: Oct 14, 2026
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=EF405022-D6B2-F111-AAAC-001DD80B58E5)

## Roll call: Passed Oct 14, 2026

**49 yea, 0 nay.** On motion of Alderperson Villegas, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Harris, the resolution was Adopted. Voted at the [City Council meeting of Oct 14, 2026](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/39FE6EE4-2FBC-F111-AAAE-001DD80B58E5).

**Yea (49)**: [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (1), [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/2) (2), [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (3), [Lamont J. Robinson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/4) (4), [Desmon C. Yancy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/5) (5), [William E. Hall](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/6) (6), [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (7), [Michelle A. Harris](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8) (8), [Anthony Beale](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/9) (9), [Peter Chico](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/10) (10), [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (11), [Julia M. Ramirez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/12) (12), [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (13), [Jeylú B. Gutiérrez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/14) (14), [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (15), [Stephanie D. Coleman](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/16) (16), [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (17), [Derrick G. Curtis](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/18) (18), [Matthew J. O'Shea](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/19) (19), [Jeanette B. Taylor](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/20) (20), [Ronnie L. Mosley](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/21) (21), [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (22), [Silvana Tabares](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/23) (23), [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (25), [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (26), [Walter R. Burnett](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27) (27), [Jason C. Ervin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/28) (28), [Chris Taliaferro](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/29) (29), [Ruth Cruz](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/30) (30), [Felix Cardona Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/31) (31), [Scott Waguespack](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/32) (32), [Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/33) (33), [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (34), [Anthony J. Quezada](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/35) (35), [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (36), [Emma Mitts](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/37) (37), [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (38), [Samantha Nugent](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/39) (39), [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (40), [Anthony V. Napolitano](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/41) (41), [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (42), [Timothy R. Knudsen](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/43) (43), [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (44), [James M. Gardiner](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/45) (45), [Angela Clay](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/46) (46), [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (47), [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (48), [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (49), [Debra L. Silverstein](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/50) (50)

**Not voting (1)**: [Monique L. Scott](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/24) (24)

## Impact report

> Written by AI from [the official document](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/68c21353-b0bf-4e1a-8856-fa361eca5dbc.pdf). AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This ordinance would let a legally established adult use cannabis dispensary add medical cannabis sales without going through the extra zoning review in Section 17-9-0129.1, as long as it does not physically expand.

**Who it affects**

- **Adult use cannabis dispensary owners**: They could add medical cannabis dispensary use to their existing business without triggering the Section 17-9-0129.1 requirements.
- **Medical cannabis patients**: Existing adult use dispensaries would be allowed to add medical cannabis dispensary operations at the same site.
- **Dispensaries planning to grow**: Any physical expansion of the use, buildings, or zoning lot would still require a special use approval or a type one planned development, as applicable.

**What changes**

- A lawfully established adult use cannabis dispensary could change its operations to also serve as a medical cannabis dispensary.
- Adding medical use alone would not trigger the Section 17-9-0129.1 planned development requirements.
- Physically expanding the use, structures, or zoning lot would still trigger special use rules (Section 17-13-0910) or type one planned development rules (Section 17-9-0129.1), as applicable.

**Where**: 44th Ward

**When**: Upon its passage and approval

## Timeline

- Sep 23, 2026: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
- Oct 13, 2026: Substituted
- Oct 13, 2026: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
- Oct 14, 2026: Passed, City Council (49 yea, 0 nay), at the [City Council meeting](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/39FE6EE4-2FBC-F111-AAAE-001DD80B58E5). On motion of Alderperson Villegas, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Harris, the resolution was Adopted.

## Documents

- [Cannabis.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/68c21353-b0bf-4e1a-8856-fa361eca5dbc.pdf) (Legislation)
- [SO2026-0028463 Ordinance.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/e9c0c932-c93a-4bf6-bed6-890f51647b3c.pdf) (Legislation)

## Related legislation

**More from Bennett R. Lawson**

- [Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 17-17 establishing allowances for certain bay windows when calculating floor area ratio](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0028836-allowances-certain-bay-windows-when-calculating) (O2026-0028836, introduced Sep 23, 2026, Referred)
- [Amendment of Annual Appropriation Ordinance to transfer funds from 44th Ward Wage Allowance Account to Aldermanic Expense Account for Year…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0028398-annual-appropriation-ordinance-transfer-funds-44th) (O2026-0028398, introduced Sep 23, 2026, Passed)
- [Submission of public question by referendum to Chicago 44th Ward voters on February 23, 2027 primary election on if Illinois Department of…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0028831-submission-public-question-referendum-chicago-44th) (R2026-0028831, introduced Sep 23, 2026, Referred)

**More on Municipal Code Amendments**

- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-24-065 regarding ability to pay pilot program](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029654-regarding-ability-pay-pilot-program) (O2026-0029654, introduced Dec 8, 2026, Council Introduction)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 3, 4 and 8 regarding technical and scriveners' corrections (2027 Municipal Code Corrections Ordinance)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029649-titles-3-4-8-regarding-technical) (O2026-0029649, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14A, 15, 17 regarding management, structure, powers and functions of various…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029644-titles-2-4-6-7-8) (O2026-0029644, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2026-0028463-allowing-lawful-cannabis-dispensaries-modify-operations · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt