UPTOWN — Uptown could be home to one of the first medical marijuana dispensaries in Chicago if everything stays on track for Dispensary 33.
The dispensary, planned in the former home of Pie Hole Pizza, at 5001 N. Clark St., must pass a state inspection before it can get its employees licensed. Once the employees are licensed, the dispensary could be opening in the next few months, said Paul Lee, the agent in charge of Dispensary 33. (The area is widely accepted as part of Andersonville, via our neighborhood mapping tool.)
"We're excited to say that our target date is in November and we're looking very good" to open in November, said Lee, adding that puts them on pace to be the "first or second" dispensary open in the city. "One of the things we've been focused on is opening for our patients as early as possible. They've already been waiting for a while."
The dispensary is planning to be inspected by the state by the end of October and hold a grand opening for the community. This will likely be the only time nonpatients will be allowed in the facility, and no marijuana will be in the building at that point. Once the inspection is complete, the company will begin registering its staff with the state, Lee said.
In June, Gov. Bruce Rauner announced The Cannabis Group LLC was one of 52 business approved to sell medical marijuana in the state of Illinois. During the summer, Dispensary 33 placed advertisements about the forthcoming business and has seen interest continue to grow, Lee said.
"One of the biggest things about us is patient care. If you contact us, you're going to get an immediate response. We're definitely here for the community," Lee said, adding questions or comments about the dispensary can be sent to info@dispensary33.com.
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