Illinois’s First Dispensaries Opening Monday, Nov. 9

More than 3,000 Illinois medical marijuana patients will soon be able to purchase marijuana legally for the first time in the state.

There are eight Illinois dispensaries that will be opening on Monday, November 9th. This is the first wave of Illinois dispensaries to open, and more are expected to open this year. Of the eight dispensaries, four are located in the Chicago metropolitan area, while four are dispersed throughout the state.

It’s been two years since Illinois enacted its medical marijuana law, and Illinois’s medical marijuana patients have been eagerly waiting for the first dispensaries to open for business.

One highly unusual and restrictive stipulation that Illinois medical marijuana patients must abide by is that they must choose just one dispensary to purchase marijuana from, and they have to register the dispensary of their choosing with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The IDPH website states: “Qualifying patients and caregivers may visit any registered dispensary in the State, but must designate a single dispensary with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in order to make a medical cannabis purchase.”

“It’s a safe industry with a strong infrastructure here in Illinois,” said an employee of The Clininc Mundelein dispensary. “We’re all in touch with local police. There will be no surprises.”