The first marijuana dispensary in Franklin county hosted a ribbon cutting. Ash and Ivy will be the first cannabis dispensary in Franklin County.
WEST CITY, Ill. (WSIL)-- The first marijuana dispensary in Franklin County hosted a ribbon cutting.
Ash and Ivy will be the first cannabis dispensary in Franklin County.
Store owner Holly Eldridge says it was a long journey getting to the point where they could have their Ribbon Cutting.
鈥淲e started with an infuser license, which pivoted us to open up the beautiful space that people know as the Luna Lounge. With that, the community grew and three years later we had the opportunity to receive a dispensary license and we are very lucky and excited,鈥� Eldridge said.
Ron House is the Mayor of West City. He says it is a major advantage to be located by I-57. He hopes the new business will bring traffic to other businesses in town too.
鈥淚t's gonna be good income for the village and everything, and it's something that the people wanted and we fought very hard to get it, 鈥� House said.
Eldridge says their family-owned business did receive some backlash, but most of the community's feedback was good.
鈥淚 would say 98% positive and there's just two, 2% of the people out there that just really don't understand what this is, but I'm hoping that we'll be able to change people's minds once we get open,鈥� Eldridge said.
Christopher Roeder is Eldridge鈥檚 younger brother and says she wants to be more than a store owner.
鈥淪he's bringing knowledge and wellness to the area. And she's done her research just like today. You know, she's wanting to hear from the community,鈥� Roeder said.
Eldridge says she wanted to hear from locals at the ribbon cutting.
鈥淲e're trying to separate ourselves differently from all the dispensaries that are in the local area and really meet the customers and say, what do you want on our shelves? What would you like to see here,鈥� Eldridge said.
Eldridge says they are waiting to receive their state license and are expecting to be open to the public after November 2nd.
