January 2016 Update – if you would like to get a medical marijuana card in Illinois please click here for more information on how to obtain your card.
By now, you should all be familiar with the fact that Illinois has legalized medical marijuana on January 1st, 2014. That’s right, that green revolutionary ball has finally started rolling and after Colorado and Washington set the rules, and it’s time for other states to put their own wheels in motion. However, as much as the good people of Illinois would love to practice their newly attained right to buy weed, it’s going to take some time before that actually happens. Regardless of the fact that medical marijuana was legalized; nobody seems to be very keen on regulating the damn thing. If anyone had any doubt, the law now clearly dictates that medical marijuana dispensaries are actually allowed to sell medical marijuana. Hell, not only can they sell it but they are allowed to produce it as well. Those who are allowed to buy it are medical marijuana patients with valid prescriptions if they meet the listed stipulations.
Strict Regulations
Everybody knew Illinois wasn’t just going to fork out a bunch of weed on the pavement and say “Go for it!” so it doesn’t really surprise us that they’re going to treat marijuana like heroin. And you know what? It’s better to start off cautious than to rush into it, especially with a controversial issue such as this one, where everyone is just waiting for you to slip up. The list of those stipulations contains about 33 diseases. If the patient isn’t diagnosed with any of the diseases that are on the list, then he or she is not allowed to buy medical marijuana. It’s really simple and leaves very little room for manipulation. If you’re still left with a bunch of questions nobody seems to be able to answer, have no fear. Bradley Vallerius has actually written a medical marijuana manual under the name “Medical Marijuana Law – A Practical Guide for Everyone”. If that doesn’t answer all of your questions, this blog definitely will.
The Image of Illinois
Let’s re-examine some facts. Medical marijuana was legalized in Illinois on January 1st, 2014. However, three governmental agencies have the right to postpone cultivation, regulation and prescription of marijuana until May, 2014. That means that in the next five months, a legal venue intended for the sale of medical marijuana will not be operational. Well, unless the agencies in question start working at the speed of light, which is doubtful, to say the least. In addition, there may be even more restrictions on the horizon by the time the agencies are done with regulations. Who knows what they will come up with in the next five months. Let us remind you, medical marijuana is here to help those in need and for everyone else legal marijuana will remain only a temptation. Illinois wants to disassociate itself from pot-smokers, stoners, bums and the usual imagery that is associated with cannabis consumption. What Illinois is hoping to achieve is an image where marijuana is further developed as a medical aid. So, think white coats, labs, doctors, sterile environment and so forth.
Future Dispensaries
There won’t be more than 60 dispensaries allowed to sell cannabis and they have to be scattered throughout Illinois and nowhere near schools, residential zones, etc. Patients and caregivers will be screened for possible criminal and medical history before they are allowed to obtain a medical marijuana card. We will keep you posted on future updates.
