LOGAN SQUARE — Logan Square's medical marijuana dispensary is about a week away from opening, and giving neighborhood residents a sneak peak this weekend.
The owners of Modern Cannabis, two of whom own the neighboring barcade Emporium, have been trying to build a potential customer-base for months leading up to next week's opening.
"We go to everything from epilepsy events to Riot Fest," said co-owner Danny Marks. "We are trying to just get out there. Get in front of people, answer questions and talk to people about the patient process."
The ownership group hopes to pass the last inspection early next week and be open at 2369 N. Milwaukee Ave. by Feb. 5 at the earliest.
The process to open has taken longer than expected, but has been a net positive, according to Marks.
"We can look at other states, but every state has totally different rules, every state has different parameters and politics and expectations, supplies, demands and all that stuff," he said. "It’s been really interesting. It's been a fascinating experience to basically be at the formation stage of this whole thing and seeing it blossom.”
Qualifying patients must designate a single dispensary with the Illinois Department of Public Health in order to purchase cannabis, and those patients cannot designate Modern Cannabis until the business gets its license.
About 4,000 patients have been approved for the pilot program including 26 under the age of 18, according the state.
The only other dispensary that's open in the city at this point, Dispensary 33, is in Uptown at 5001 N. Clark Street.
When Modern Cannabis opens the shop will carry strains from a number of different cultivators as well as edibles and extracts such as waxes and oils.
Those extracts are just starting to come on the market, according to Marks.
Prices will start in the range of about $60 for an eighth of an ounce, similar to what it costs on the street.
"Once the patient population goes up and supplies go up and everything starts functioning better, I think prices will come down," Marks said. "...right now unfortunately we are not able to beat the local dealer."
One reason for the low number of patients is that the Illinois system is highly regulated and has a narrow list of conditions that are eligible.
The state's Medical Cannabis Advisory Board, consisting of doctors, nurses, patients and advocates, recommended adding eight conditions to the list in October including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, chronic pain syndrome and autism among others.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is expected to rule on the conditions Feb. 1.
Marks hopes Modern Cannabis' location along Milwaukee Avenue and near the Kennedy Expressway will be a draw for both Chicagoans and commuters.
Switching the designated dispensary is fairly easy, and only requires an email.
"Location is huge obviously, but some people want to go somewhere where they feel like they like the people and the place,” Marks said.
Once Modern Cannabis gets its license only registered patients and caregivers will be allowed in it's high-security doors, so Sunday's preview may be the last chance.
Modern Cannabis is hosting an open house between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. where anyone interested can check out the space and speak with a patient specialist to learn about products and treatment.
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