EDGEWATER — A former Andersonville pizza joint is one step closer to becoming a medical cannabis dispensary, according to an announcement made by Gov. Bruce Rauner late Monday afternoon.
Rauner released a list containing the names of 52 businesses approved to sell medical marijuana in the state of Illinois. Approved for District 44 was The Cannabis Group, LLC, which hopes to make 5001-03 N. Clark St. its new home.
In June, Pie Hole Pizza Joint closed its doors at the location. Michael Synowieski, an attorney with the Daley and Georges law firm, which is representing The Cannabis Group, filed an application for a special use permit for the site on Nov. 24.
State records list Kristie Zises as manager and CEO of The Cannabis Group, while Zachary Zises will serve as the Chief Financial Officer, according to letter sent from the city to local residents.
His brother and Kristie's husband is Bryan Zises, chief of staff for a state-created agency, the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
Although Bryan Zises is listed as the owner of property where The Cannabis Group is incorporated, he will not be involved with the clinic, Zachary Zises said.
“He’s not completely disinterested but he has no bearing on the business or decisions that were made, formation or continuing on,” he said.
On Jan. 13 more than 60 members of the Winona Foster Carmen Winnemac (WFCW) block club, along with representatives from The Cannabis Group and the 47th ward, voted to give community approval of the new business.
Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th) has said he is in favor of medical marijuana. Pawar "was supportive of Rep. [Greg] Harris' (D-Chicago) movement to make this legal in the state," due to the number of people "either ill or chronically ill" who could benefit, Pawar's chief of staff, Joe Poole, said in November.
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