Springfield a high-interest spot for medical marijuana shops

SPRINGFIELD — Thirteen companies are in the running for two coveted spots to open medical marijuana shops in the Springfield area.

The temporary ban of pot-related businesses in Springfield expired in September. Since then, interest has grown among the industry to set up medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.

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Most of the applications in the three-county region, which includes Clark, Champaign and Union counties, are in Clark County — eight in Springfield and the rest across the county. Those 13 companies will compete with two potential sites in Union County and another in Champaign County for the two available slots.

The city’s zoning director, Stephen Thompson, said it’s “a positive thing” if there’s a market for a medical marijuana dispensary in Clark County. But he said the number of applications surprised him.

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What do Springfield residents think about the medical pot interest in their community?

Patti Neff: “I think it should be here. Oh yeah. … As far as I’m concerned, it’s a great medicine and if you can make money off it, why not?”

Monica Beavers: “I have mixed feelings about it, to be honest. There are some people who need it.”

John Strong: “As long as it’s controlled like it’s supposed to be. … Sounds like greed more than anything, people trying to get on the bandwagon.”

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