Illinois Allows Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensaries to Begin Serving Medical Customers

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) on Thursday announced that 37 adult-use cannabis dispensaries have been authorized to sell medical cannabis products, WJBD reports.

The change allows adult-use retailers in good standing with the state to apply for a medical dispensary license. The change could also be a leg up for social equity and small businesses, and overall is expected to dramatically expand patient access and product options.

It marks the largest expansion to medical cannabis in the state since 2016.

“Expanding access to medical cannabis is an important step toward ensuring Illinois patients have more options to obtain the medicine they rely on. More dispensaries means better options and increased convenience for medical patients, while still maintaining the regulatory safeguards that protect patients and promote a safe and responsible cannabis industry.” — IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr., in a statement

The change is one of several provisions in the cannabis omnibus legislation that the governor signed into law in June.

Meanwhile, Illinois last month added two new conditions to its medical cannabis program: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) with chronic pain and sickle cell disease.