Legal marijuana dispensaries would be banned in most of downtown Chicago under Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposed zoning rules

But the mayor’s plan could face opposition from cannabis interests that have eyed downtown as a prime location to set up shop and Ald. Brendan Reilly, who said he wants to see dispensaries in the central business corridor to make sure Chicago collects as much cash as possible.

“Today’s ordinance is the first of several regulatory measures to be undertaken by the city of Chicago to establish the safe and responsible implementation of legalized cannabis next year,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “Working with community members, businesses, elected officials, and other partners at the local and state level, we will be ensuring that legalization not only creates new revenues for our city, but also unique opportunities for entrepreneurs from communities victimized by (the) war on drugs to be at the forefront of developing equity and wealth from this emerging industry.” [Read more at Chicago Tribune]