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Read the press release here.

1st Far NW Side Medical Marijuana Dispensary To Give Residents A Sneak Peek

 Columbia Care officials will cut the ribbon on the dispensary at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the heart of the Jefferson Park Business District at 4758 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Columbia Care officials will cut the ribbon on the dispensary at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the heart of the Jefferson Park Business District at 4758 N. Milwaukee Ave.
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45th Ward Office; File photo

JEFFERSON PARK — The first medical marijuana dispensary on the Far Northwest Side will open to patients Sept. 6 — but neighborhood residents will get a sneak peek this week.

Columbia Care officials will cut the ribbon on the dispensary at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the heart of the Jefferson Park Business District at 4758 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Tours of the newly renovated building with a gleaming silver facade with security cameras prominently displayed on the building's front will take place from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, company officials said.

Columbia Care also operates dispensaries in New York, Massachusetts, Arizona, California and Washington, D.C.

The clinic proposed near Milwaukee and Lawrence avenues has been approved by state and city officials.

The clinic — which Ald. John Arena (45th) took no position on when it went before city zoning officials — was criticized by some Jefferson Park residents who said they feared it would increase crime, decrease property values and endanger children using the playgrounds at Jefferson Park Memorial Park and Wilson Park as well as the Jefferson Park library.

The dispensary is separated from Arena's 45th Ward office by one storefront. The alderman has vowed to keep a close eye on its operations.

Others, however, said the dispensary would provide a valuable service that would help people suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer and glaucoma who have a doctor's prescription for marijuana and be registered in the state-administered program.

Chicago has three open medical marijuana dispensaries in Logan Square, Uptown and Garfield Ridge. The Columbia Care dispensary in Jefferson Park will be the first to open on the Far Northwest Side, and the fourth in the city.

Another medical marijuana dispensary has the permission of state and city officials to open near Milwaukee and Devon avenues.

For more information, email bmarchand@col-care.com.

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