Marijuana retailers in Constantine were with their heads on a swivel, after a recreational marijuana ordinance proposal on the May 4, 2021 election could change the game for the local business owners.
Constantine residents were slated to vote on whether to prohibit recreational marihuana sales and establishments in Constantine.
“We were prepared for it, but it was unfortunate, nonetheless,” said Dominic Iemma, chief operating officer for Fawn River Cultivation Company.
“We weren’t necessarily shocked about it, but it does put a huge wrench in our program,” said David Helman, partner at Constantine Wellness Center.
Voters in Constantine have the ball in their court. The ballot item seeks to amend an already existing ordinance.
It asks one question: “Shall Constantine adopt an ordinance completely prohibiting adult-use recreational marihuana establishments in the village?”
If voters go out to the polls and vote no: it means they want recreational marijuana businesses to operate here. If Constantine residents vote yes: it means they don’t want them.
Iemma said they were building a brand new facility in Constantine, hoping to bring jobs and tax revenue to the city:
“Unfortunately, if the recreational doesn’t stay in Constantine—a lot of the jobs that we’re planning on filling here will probably have to go with it,” he said.
Although this retailer sells medical marihuana, recreational marihuana is a bigger part of the market.
Another local retailer, David Helman, partner at Constantine Wellness Center said his business model is based on recreational sales not only medical.
“And without it we simply can’t compete with rest of industry throughout the state,” said Helman.
So, if voters decide to vote against recreational marijuana in Constantine, businesses like his would be limited to only medical sales:
“Which I’m here to prove in this point in time before flipping over, that it’s not enough to make it in this business, we know for a fact that there aren’t enough cardholders to support a business like ours in this community,” said Helman.
News Channel 3 tried talking to residents and churches to get their input on this ballot item. We went inside Trinity Missionary Church and an official told us no one was available for comment.
The ordinance was scheduled to take effect 10 days after results were announced.
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