Residents confused by cannabis ordinance in Golden, Illinois

Kara Biernat

Another Tri-State town is saying no to marijuana.

It's happening in Golden, Illinois, where residents said a new ordinance limiting marijuana use is confusing.

The village of Golden passed an ordinance to prohibit the sale of adult-use cannabis.

But, the ordinance goes on to talk about restrictions about using marijuana. It has left residents confused on what's allowed and what's not.

"I found out about it last night when I was on Facebook," Golden, Illinois resident James Buss said.

"Well, the wife saw it on Facebook," Golden, Illinois resident Patrick Rossiter said.

"What I read on Facebook was that they can't enforce it," Golden, Illinois resident Pam Rossiter said.

A Facebook post on the Golden, Illinois Village Facebook page is causing confusion.

"I was reading it and it was saying that we can't consume or pretty much possess it or use it," Buss said.

The post states: An ordinance to prohibit adult-use cannabis business establishments and to restrict the cultivation, storage, possession and use of cannabis and cannabis products within the village.

The post is leaving many residents with one thought.

"They're pretty much saying that you can't do it in your own house? That's not even right," Buss said.

But after taking a closer look at the three-page ordinance the city passed, the ordinance states: cannabis is not to be used in a public place and "public place" does not include a private residence."

It's a misunderstanding for many Golden, Illinois residents.

"It's legal in the state, it's making the state money, we're broke and there's too many people getting into other people's business," Patrick Rossiter said.

However, even if you can still possess it and have it in your private home, some residents said they don't use cannabis and don't really care if it's allowed or not.

"I don't know," Pam Rossiter said. "It's just surprising. I don't know, I know there's mixed feelings and half of us don't want to be a part of Illinois anyways."

Others said the entire ordinance is simply, pointless.

"There's no police here, none on payroll," Buss said. "The sheriff can not enforce a township law, so there's really nobody that can say anything about it."

The ordinance calls for violators to be fined anywhere from 50 to 750 dollars.
But, Golden does not have a police department and Sheriff's deputies said they don't patrol there, and city ordinances are not enforced in the village.

So, it's unclear who will enforce the ordinance.

Village leaders said you can pick up a copy of the ordinance at the post office, Golden State Bank or the village office.