Section 1291.200  Cosmetic and Non-Cosmetic Changes to Dispensing Organization Operations

a)         Cosmetic changes to a dispensary do not require Department approval.

b)         Cosmetic changes are changes made to the physical appearance of the dispensing organization not requiring structural changes to the building.  Cosmetic changes include, but are not limited to:

1)         Painting;

2)         Decorations;

3)         Movement of furniture or shelfing that does not block the view of an existing security camera;

4)         Movement of any non-cannabis products such as clothing or stickers; or

5)         Movement of the storage of any non-cannabis products.

c)         A dispensing organization must obtain the Department's approval before making any non-cosmetic changes to the dispensary.

d)         Approval for any proposed non-cosmetic change must be requested by the dispensing organization in writing in a form or manner prescribed by the Department.  If the Department does not approve the proposed non-cosmetic changes, the dispensing organization is prohibited from undertaking those changes.

e)         For the purposes of this Section, non-cosmetic changes include, but are not limited to:

1)         any change which blocks the view of an existing security camera;

2)         any structural or non-structural change to the dispensing organization's floorplan;

3)         any change of the square footage of the dispensary;

4)         any structural change to the vault where cannabis or cannabis-infused products are stored;

5)         the sealing off, creation of or relocation of a common entryway, doorway, passage or other means of public ingress and/or egress, when the common entryway, doorway, passage, or window alters or changes limited access areas, such as the cultivation, harvesting, manufacturing, testing, or sale of cannabis within the dispensing organization;

6)         any change which requires a local government permit; or

7)         any physical modification to the dispensary that impacts the operation of the dispensary in a manner inconsistent with the plans previously submitted and approved by the Department.

f)         This Section does not exempt dispensing organizations from complying with any local licensing authority or local jurisdiction requirements regarding changes, alterations, or modifications to the dispensary.

(Source:  Added at 48 Ill. Reg. 13377, effective August 20, 2024)