EFFINGHAM COUNTY — The State of Illinois has approved a medical marijuana growing facility in Edgewood, effectively removing a proposed grow facility in Centralia from the running.
After a lengthy delay, Effingham Medicinal Farms has won out as the one grow facility allowed in Illinois State Police District 12, which includes Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Marion, and Richland counties.
Located in Effingham County, the facility could begin growing its crops in about six months.
The Edgewood plant will grow medical marijuana, but will not be involved in its sale to patients. Distribution centers are located elsewhere around the state and began regulated sales of medicinal marijuana Monday.
Effingham Medicinal Farms originally pushed to locate in Effingham late last year, but it needed city council to approve a zoning change. In a 2-3 vote, the council shut down the prospect of an Effingham facility.
Following that decision, the company began talking with Edgewood officials. The Edgewood village board voiced support for the proposed 20,000 to 50,000 square-foot marijuana plant. Because Edgewood doesn’t have a zoning law, they couldn’t do much to stop a plant from being built anyway.
The village president has noted the communityt could use the plant’s hiring potential and tax funds.