Despite AP release of Quinn marijuana grow site documents, Pinckneyville holds out hope
Because former Gov. Pat Quinn was dealing with too many proposals, too many people with vested interests in growing and selling medical marijuana and mixed feelings about the plan by incoming Gov. Bruce Rauner, no site selection awards were handed down before he left office even though the press releases were already drafted.
Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's administration had prepared lists of businesses that were to receive lucrative medical marijuana licenses before he left office this month. Quinn did not act on the licenses, leaving them to his successor, Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The consortium of local investors called SI Farmacy had hoped to purchase the Technicolor Universal Media Services (TUMS) building for use as THE selected site in District 13.
The selection methodology sets up one grow site in each of the Illinois State Police districts.
Instead, here is what the prepared--but unsent--press release listed for District 13.
District 13- Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Randolph, Washington, Williamson counties- IESO, LLC.
According to records on file with the Secretary of State's office, IESO, LLC is based in Decatur.
With respect to likely dispensaries in Perry County the releases point to two applications for medical marijuana dispensaries in State Police District 13 . Those applications were made by Terra Herbal Health LLC. The Secretary of State's office lists Terra Herbal's principal office in St. Louis.
The other application is by Kirkwood Pharmacy Group of Du Quoin. Terra Herbal was ranked first to receive a dispensary license for state police District 13. The Kirkwood Pharmacy Group was the only applicant for dispensary licenses in two other state police districts in southern Illinois, District 19 and District 22.
Jeff Ashauer, Du Quoin Economic Development director, who is close to the local proposal, said late Monday he has no inside information about the future of the plan.
With these developments in play, Pinckneyville Economic Development director Carrie Gilliam issued the following statement on behalf of Mayor August Kellerman and members of the council.
"The mayor and commissioners of the City of Pinckneyville wish to remind the public that the recent documents released from former Governor Quinn's office through the Freedom of Information request to the Associated Press were former Governor Quinn's recommendations for marijuana cultivation centers in Illinois. Current Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner will make the final decision on which companies are best suited to run these facilities.
"We, as the elected leaders of Pinckneyville have full faith in the current governor's abilities to choose the most qualified candidates for District 13 whether it be SI Farmacy Group, LLC or another qualified candidate. We have invested, not gambled, $200,000 in the new owners of the former TUMS factory, SI Farmacy Group, LLC. This investment was made to assist with the renovations of the partially vacant building, bringing it back up to code allowing a good use to come to the building whether it be a Medical Marijuana cultivation center or other options that we have discussed with the leaders of SI Farmacy Group, LLC. We have full faith that SI Farmacy Group, LLC will put the building to good use and bring some much needed jobs to our area."
In July, the Pinckneyville City Council voted 4-1 to pass a resolution committing a total of $500,000 to the SI Farmacy Group to purchase the Higman Building (TUMS) east of town to develop a medical marijuana cultivation center. Commissioner Sam Fulk was the sole dissenting vote.
SI Farmacy Group, represented at the meeting by Gorgi Naumovski and Brad Galli, operates several pharmacies, including the Medicine Shoppe in Du Quoin. Naumovski said there are additional partners in St. Louis, Mo.
SI Farmacy applied for one medical marijuana cultivation license and four dispensary licenses from the state. Applications were due in August and are expected to be awarded in November.
The city's initial investment was $200,000 which was used to retrofit the building. The remaining $300,000 would be invested only if SI Farmacy receives a medical marijuana cultivation license from the state.
The investment would be repaid with one percent of the gross profits each year until the full $500,000 is recouped. The city would then receive a half percent each year that the cultivation center operates in Pinckneyville.
Naumovski said the group plans to invest $5 million in the building. The first portion to be retrofitted was to be 75,000 square feet. He anticipated 40 to 50 jobs initially, but said at peak, the operation could supply up to 200 jobs.
Naumovski also said two percent of the business would be set aside for charitable giving.
The council also agreed to abate $58,000 in interest owed by Joel Higman on the loan for the former TUMS building, pending the sale of the building to the SI Farmacy Group. Higman The principle on the loan is $135,000. The motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Leonard Heisner as the only one opposed.
Pinckneyville says SI Farmacy Group has alternate possibilities
<p>“We have invested, not gambled, $200,000 in the new owners of the former TUMS factory, SI Farmacy Group, LLC. This investment was made to assist with the renovations of the partially vacant building, bringing it back up to code allowing a good use to come to the building whether it be a Medical Marijuana cultivation center or other options that we have discussed with the leaders of SI Farmacy Group, LLC. We have full faith that SI Farmacy Group, LLC will put the building to good use and bring some much needed jobs to our area.”<br />--City of Pinckneyville</p>