By Mark Weyermuller -
"Sunnyside" is the name of the new cannabis store located in the 3800 block on North Clark Street, about 800 feet north of Wrigley Field. There has been a steady flow of people at this location purchasing Illinois' newly-legalized recreational pot. A dispensary security guard I interviewed estimated a few thousand people made purchases at this location since they opened at 6:00 am on New Years Day. The store will remain open till 10:00 pm every night.
The first day here they staged people at “Uncommon Ground,” a coffee house several doors down from Sunnyside. The second day people were staged in long lines in a closed Chase Bank across the street.
The state of Illinois reported $3.2 million in sales the first day marijuana was available legally.
At the Wrigleyville store, there was heavy security with two Chicago Police cars and nearly 20 private security guards. It’s a cash only business, so there are many security concerns. Customers leave the shop with a small brown shopping bag similar to a carryout food bag.
Time will tell us this will let up but indications are this will become the new normal. Just imagine the business here when the Chicago Cubs start playing baseball in April.
Receipts from cannabis purchases are circulating the internet, showing a $220 purchase of cannabis with over $80 in taxes being charged.
