Northbrook OKs cannabis infuser facility that makes THC gummies
A company that makes THC-laced gummies and vape pens has received approval to manufacture in Northbrook, though no products will be sold onsite.
Village trustees gave a Skokie company a special use permit earlier this month to operate a cannabis infuser facility in an industrial district in the northwest corner of the village.
Cheetah Illinois, LLC, plans to manufacture and distribute resin vape pens and cannabis-infused gummy products, Northbrook senior planner Swati Pandey said in a report to the Village Board.
The board voted unanimously to approve the proposal as part of its consent agenda on April 8.
Cheetah's Big Cat gummy contains 50mg of live resin, is gluten free and comes in four flavors, including blood orange, mango, watermelon and grape limeade, company officials said.
'Product development lead was (a) former Michelin star chef who brings experience in creating and commercializing high quality and shelf stable retail products,' they said in a 34-page report provided to the Village Board.
Cheetah plans to lease 14,549 square feet at 306-310 Era Drive, located in an I-1 restricted industrial district, Pandey said. The property is one of two spaces leased at the site and is currently vacant, she said.
'The subject property would be purchased by 306 Era Drive LLC, and the current and future owner have consented to this use,' Pandey said. 'The applicant has stated that they will not grow any cannabis on the subject property.'
All operations will take place inside Cheetah's building, including delivery of supplies and pick-up of products in an existing loading bay accessed through a garage door on the north side of the building, she said.
'There will be no on-site retail sales or cannabis dispensary options at this facility,' Pandey said.
Cheetah officials are in the process of obtaining an Illinois infuser license from another company, they said. Production cannot begin until the license is transferred and approved by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Cheetah plans to operate on the site from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and remain closed on Sundays, the report said. The company plans to hire 15-25 employees, it said.
The report outlined high security measures for receiving, handling, storing and processing THC oil. It said day-to-day operations will include:
A licensed transporter will deliver THC oil through docks inside the building.
Cheetah will document all oil received at the site.
The company will store all THC oil in a secured vault.
Cheetah will remove the oil from the vault only when it will be infused into its vape pens or gummy products.
After infusion, the THC oil will be returned to the secured vault.
'At no point shall Cheetah LLC handle or store any THC oil or other materials outside the building, and Cheetah LLC shall conduct all of its operations within the interior of the building on the property,' the report said.
The company will not produce cannabis concentrate to convert into resin, oil or other forms, said Anthony Ochs, an attorney for Cheetah.
'Cheetah will not be processing, growing or manufacturing hard materials,' Ochs said. 'Instead, Cheetah's operations will be to take finished THC oil and put them in products they design like parts of their vape pens or gummies.'
The company plans to install security cameras inside and outside the building, Pandey said. The security plan was reviewed and approved by the Northbrook Police Department, she said.
The proposal requires 70 parking spaces, including parking for an existing tenant, Pandey said. The property currently contains 77 spaces, she said.
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