DeKALB – DeKalb City Council approved a special permit for Excelleaf Dispensary during Monday’s meeting, marking the official sanctioning of the first cannabis dispensary in the city and DeKalb County.

The location was approved last Monday at the DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing for 305 E. Locust St., formerly the Vibrant Credit Union building.

“We’re looking forward to a long prosperous relationship,” 5th Ward Alderman Scott McAdams said.

When asked about a possible opening date, founding partner Nakia McAdoo answered that the business aims to open before DeKalb’s Corn Fest in August with no specific dates in place yet.

6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic commented on the status of the NuMed Partners, a dispensary originally planned to open in the Junction Shopping Center that has now received a conditional state license.

NuMed has been waiting since 2020 to set up its business, but complications with obtaining a state license prevented them from opening. The conditional state license allows NuMed to secure its building while it has 180 days to obtain an official Adult Use License.

The conditional license now places DeKalb in the Chicagoland cannabis district while NuMed has plans for beginning the construction of their location at 818 W. Lincoln Highway at the former Book World store.

IN OTHER NEWS

The council also reviewed amendments for off-street parking requirements, including where additional parking could be located for fraternities, sororities and apartments.

The amended ordinance extended parking spots up to 300 feet from the original spaces if parking wasn’t available.

The decision was in response to the limited apartment parking in older parts of town and with the City of DeKalb’s Safe Street Initiative.