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Fulton forges ahead with medical marijuana plans

Fulton, Illinois, is one step closer to selling medical marijuana. That’s after the state of Illinois issued a conditional license for a dispensary. Plans...

Fulton, Illinois, is one step closer to selling medical marijuana.

That's after the state of Illinois issued a conditional license for a dispensary.

Plans call for it to go near a busy intersection.

Some 10,000 vehicles pass by the intersection of routes 84 and 136.

Related: Rock Island readies to grow and sell medical marijuana

Those figures could double while factoring in traffic for the new federal prison in Thomson and a medical marijuana dispensary.

"Any time you bring business into town, you're going to bring in a lot more sales tax and revenues as well," said Fulton City Administrator Ed Cannon.

Developers will now concentrate on completing registration materials.

The dispensary will serve Whiteside, Carroll, Lee and Ogle counties.

It will operate similar to a pharmacy.

"I think it will be very, very positive," said Connie Schmitz.  "This area has been hit pretty hard by the economy."

That being said, it will be a different kind of economic development for the town of about 3,500 residents.

At Krumpets, a downtown Fulton eatery, the dispensary will be a welcome addition.

While Fulton missed out on building a medical marijuana growing center, the dispensary could still add up to 10 new jobs at the onset.

"I'm excited for growth," said Krumpets owner Renee Holmes.  "It's just one more thing that the hard working people of Fulton have going for them."

Fulton looks at the snowy site as the place for another retail business.

Illinois cities are looking for new ways to grow.  The decision seems to make good business sense, both for community coffers and patients prescribed the medical marijuana.

"People need this," said Nyla Williams.  "Certain people really need this."

While Fulton's iconic windmill remains a local landmark, there will likely be another conversation piece on the way.

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