Contributor: Stephen J. Morgan
Multiple Medicinal Cannabis Clubs In Illinois Given Recreational Licenses
First off, major kudos to the state of Illinois for legalizing recreational marijuana. That’s a huge step in the right direction, and we’re confident that more midwest states will soon follow suit. However, just because a state passes the legalization of recreational cannabis, doesn’t mean any place can start selling bud. Quite the contrary. There’s a whole bunch of legal “red tape” that needs to be cleared before one can even apply for one of the rare licenses that the state makes available.
However, in the great state of Illinois, medicinal marijuana has already been legalized. Which means there’s already a handful of cannabis clubs in the state, but they currently only cater to the medicinal crowd (i.e. anyone who got a recommendation to do so from their primary care provider). But, come 2020, Illinois is going to need places to be up and running in order to handle the expected onslaught of citizens looking to pick up some recreational ganja for the first time.
So, in addition to going through an arduous vetting process of new entrepreneurs looking to start a career in the cannabis industry, Illinois is starting to allow these once medical-patients-only establishments to open up their horizons once recreational use goes into play in January 2020. And they are doing so by handing out, what the cannabis community refers to as, “same-site” licenses.
SEE ALSO: Important Things to Know About Legal Cannabis in Illinois
As you could probably surmise from the name, that just means that these current medicinal marijuana locations will be able to sell recreational marijuana, as well, in the same place. A total of 14 of these licenses have been distributed thus far, and it should be a great way for Illinois to manage the overwhelming public demand for recreational cannabis.
But, it should be known that not every location that currently helps patients get their cannabis will be allowed to sell recreational marijuana to citizens come January. It all comes down to specific jurisdictions and how certain areas have voted on cannabis in the past. Local laws and zoning rules will come into play in a major way when the state is trying to decide which current establishments will be granted a “same-site” license. For instance, let’s look at 3C Compassionate Care Center.
3C Compassionate Care Center is located in the quaint Illinois town of Naperville. Though they currently provide a wealth of products to anyone with a doctor’s recommendation, they will not be able to sell recreational bud to the public, solely because the town of Naperville voted to ban the sale of recreational marijauna in their city. Which is a massive bummer for anyone who was hoping their local dispensary would open its doors to everyone come January 2020. But who knows – things may change in the very near future.
There is some good news here, though. Per reports, any medical dispensary lucky enough to obtain a “same-site” license can also open a second location – dedicated to recreational marijuana. Obviously, it will matter greatly where these new locations will be, given the various townships and cities that have ultimately banned recreational marijuana. But the fact that the state is allowing them to expand their already-proven businesses is worth noting.
Also, in the coming year, Illinois will do its best to expand its marijuana outreach to as many areas as it can. Mainly by issuing 75 new adult-use licenses to cannabis applicants.
SEE ALSO: Chicago Poised To Make Millions From Recreational Marijuana
For those in Illinois who would like to know which current medical shops earned themselves a “same-site” license for the new year, consult the list below:
In Chicago:
Dispensary33
5001 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
Maribis of Chicago
4570 South Archer Avenue
Chicago, IL 60632
MedMar
3812 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60613
In the “North Suburbs”:
The Clinic Mundelein
1325 Armour Boulevard
Mundelein, IL 60060
PDI Medical Dispensary
1623 Barclay Boulevard
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
In the “West Suburbs”:
FloraMedex
7953 West Grand Avenue
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
3C Compassionate Care Center – Naperville*
1700 Quincy Avenue #103
Naperville, IL 60431
*Pending any potential changes in local zoning laws.
In the “South Suburbs”:
3C Compassionate Care Center – Joliet
1627 Rock Creek Boulevard
Joliet, IL 60431
In the Greater Illinois Area:
Phoenix Botanical Dispensary
1704 South Neil Street C
Champaign, IL 61820
Salveo Health & Wellness Dispensary
3104 North Main Street
Canton, IL 61520
Mapleglen Care Center
4777 Stenstrom Road
Rockford, IL 61109
MedMar
2696 McFarland Road
Rockford, IL 61107
Maribis of Springfield
2272 North Grand Avenue East
Grandview, IL 62702
The Clinic Effingham
1101 Ford Avenue Suite C
Effingham, IL 62401
There you go.
Now all you Illinois residents will know exactly what locations sell recreational marijuana in your area when the new year finally arrives. Which, I’m sure, you all cannot wait for. However, just because this list seems a bit bleak now, doesn’t mean it will be that way forever. The state is working hard to be sure to provide cannabis, both medicinally and recreationally, to as many people, in as many areas, as they legally can. But they are making sure to go about it the “correct” way, without any oversights or negligent moves on their part.
Lawmakers have even been sure to help out those who find themselves in more impoverished, crime-heavy areas of the state. If one should reside in one of these neighborhoods that meet their specific criteria, they’ll automatically get a “bump up” when it comes time to turn in their applications. The powers-that-be in Illinois want to use recreational marijuana to help improve these less-than-desirable areas. And they hope to achieve that goal through implementations such as this. Wherein, it would not only help reduce illegal activity (pertaining to cannabis), but it would help improve the economy of these areas with an onslaught of new, local businesses. Also, with new business ventures comes increased job opportunities. And anything that can help the great people of Illinois earn an honest living, the better.
Obviously, Illinois is still figuring things out, but they are most certainly headed in the right direction. And, before long, the citizens of this beloved midwestern state will be able to purchase recreational marijuana. For many, this will be their first time ever doing so. And I suggest they relish in the moment, because not every American citizen is as lucky. There’s still a multitude of states and territories that vehemently oppose the use and/or sale of marijuana. But, with more and more places realizing how beneficial cannabis can be (for the citizens and the economy), it’s only a matter of time before nationwide legalization becomes a reality.
But, until that fateful day arrives, we will have to continue to play within the rules of the law when it comes to legalized cannabis. There are certain regulations that must be followed, and that sort of approach makes nothing but sense to us. Without which it would just become the “Wild West” of cannabis. That sort of route would only lead to more illegal activity and inferior, potentially dangerous products that weren’t properly tested in a lab and whatnot.
However, should the fine folks of Illinois play by these upcoming recreational marijuana rules, I’m confident that everything should go smoothly. But, I suppose, only time will tell. Either way, I’m excited for Illinois. 2020 is looking like it will be one of the best years yet – I guarantee it.
