Medical Marijuana Rules Considered by Illinois Committee

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) meets today in Chicago to discuss the rules governing the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. The law has been passed, but patients are still unable to legally use the drug.

If JCAR has no objections to the proposed rules, growers, retailers and patients will be able to begin the application process. Patients are expected to be able to apply for a registry identification card beginning in September. Applications for growers are expected to be released around the same time. State officials will then begin the process of granting permits for growers and dispensaries. 60 permits are available for dispensaries, and 21 permits are available for cultivation centers. A nonrefundable application for of $5,000 for dispensaries and $25,000 for cultivation centers will be imposed by the state. If approved, the dispensary registration fee is $30,000, while the growers permit fee is $200,000.

Approved patients are expected to begin using medical marijuana early next year. The Marijuana Policy Project estimates that about 10,000 people will become registered patients. There are still concerns about the impact of the new law on cannabis-related DUI throughout Illinois.

Patients could start using medical marijuana in early 2015, www.politics.suntimes.com, July 13, 2014