PREMIERE CANNABIS CULTIVATION

The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act (the “Act”) was enacted in 2014 to create a system for cultivating and dispensing medicinal cannabis in Illinois.  The Act requires most patients to receive a written recommendation from their doctor certifying they have one of 39 qualifying debilitating medical conditions.  Patients receiving medical care from a veterans’ hospital may become a patient without a written recommendation.  For more information on becoming a patient click here.

 

The Act allows for 20 cultivation center licenses and 60 dispensary licenses.  Only cultivation centers are permitted to cultivate medical cannabis and make infused products.  A sample of all medical cannabis must be tested by an independent laboratory before it can be sold to a dispensary.  Dispensaries are geographically dispersed throughout the State.  Patients must register with a dispensary before they can purchase medical cannabis there.

 

When it was enacted, the Act was viewed by many as the most restrictive medical cannabis law in the country with a heavy emphasis on requiring security at cultivation centers and dispensaries, including background checks for anyone who becomes a patient or works at a medical cannabis facility. 

 

For more information on the Pilot Program, visit http://www.illinois.gov/gov/mcpp/Pages/default.aspx