NORTH PARK — Just two weeks before the state begins accepting applications for medical marijuana, potential patients — as well as growers and dispensaries — had a slew of questions Wednesday, from how to package "medicinal chocolate" to how the pot will be tested by the state.
Hundreds of people packed a town hall meeting at Northeastern Illinois University Wednesday, including many seeking very specific answers about how to file an application — whether as a patient, a grower or a dispensary.
Rakhael Ross, a Lakeview resident who plans to apply for a dispensary license, asked the state panel about how testing of medical marijuana would work.
"We've done a lot, and there's a lot more work to do," said Ross. "It's long overdue and I'm hoping to be a part of this."
Bob Morgan, project coordinator for the state's medical marijuana pilot, said there should be a huge demand for the product.
"We expect thousands of patients to apply the first year," he said.
Between Sept. 2 through Oct. 31, any patients with last names starting with A through L may submit applications. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, those with last names starting with M through Z can apply. After that, the process will be opened up to everyone.
The application window for dispensaries and cultivation centers will likely be open for just two weeks, from Sept. 8-Sept. 22.
Up to 60 dispensaries will be created statewide, along with just 22 cultivation centers, only one of which will be located within the State Police district that includes Chicago.
Licensing for both is expected to be extremely competitive, and coordinators of the program at Wednesday's event indicated in their answers that certain applicants would have a leg up.
"In the application process, we are going to be asking the applicants if they have a community benefits plan — how they are going to give back to the community where they are located," said Ray Watson, general counsel of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which will process the applications from growers.
There were also multiple questions asked about what types of medical marijuana products may be sold and how they may be packaged, including "medicinal chocolate."
"Just don't make it look like a Baby Ruth," Watson said.
The state plans to post transcripts of Wednesday's meeting as well as two others held in Peoria and Collinsville, on its Medical Cannabis Pilot Program website.
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