We at Illinois News Joint and News Joint Events have been attending and hosting open-consumption events for years—but not without obstacles. Despite the complications, cannabis-consumption events have steadily increased, and event planners are poised to host more cannabis-consumption events in Illinois than ever before. To catch up to this part of the industry, the Illinois General Assembly recently introduced in each chamber identical “cannabis hospitality” bills that could help alleviate some of those open-consumption obstacles.

House Bill 3513, introduced by Rep. Justin Slaughter, Senate Bill 1772, introduced by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford, and House Bill 3061, introduced by Rep. Sonya M. Harper, contain identical wording for the creation of the On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act. The On-Premise Cannabis Consumption Act provides that a county or municipality may issue licenses for temporary events and cannabis hospitality venues that will allow for the consumption of cannabis or cannabis-infused products, and for the sale of cannabis paraphernalia at such temporary events or venues. The Act defines “Cannabis hospitality venue” as a public or private restaurant, bar, or other licensed business that allows communal consumption of cannabis or cannabis-infused products on premises.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, smoking is allowed in the following areas:

• Private residences or dwelling places.
• A licensed dispensary.
• Hotel and motel sleeping rooms that are rented to guests and are designated as smoking rooms. Hotel and motel establishments may also apply and be licensed under the provisions of the Act and may host consumption events as detailed in that Act.
• Retail tobacco stores.
• Enclosed laboratories that are excluded from the definition of “place of employment.”
• Common smoking rooms in long-term care facilities.
• A convention hall of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
• And temporary events or cannabis hospitality venues licensed under Act.

An applicant for a temporary event permit under this Section must apply for the permit in the manner required by ordinance of the governmental unit. Permit fees assessed under this Section must be reasonably related to the cost of inspecting and regulating the temporary event. Municipalities may choose to prohibit cannabis hospitality venues from serving alcoholic beverages. The governmental unit may not adopt an ordinance or rule that:

(A) prohibits a person who holds a license issued under this Section from adopting policies that allow persons attending the cannabis hospitality venue to bring cannabis, cannabis-infused products, or cannabis paraphernalia into the club;

(B) imposes public health or safety standards on cannabis hospitality venues if those standards serve no purpose other than deterring the consumption of cannabis or cannabis-infused products at the cannabis hospitality venue; or

(C) prohibits the lawful preparation and sale of food and beverage or the lawful sale or rental of cannabis related paraphernalia so long as the cannabis hospitality venue is appropriately licensed and in compliance for such activities.

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