Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Fulton — Sauk Valley's sole medical marijuana dispensary is open for business.
The Dispensary opened last week to serve the 150 or so people in District 1 who have medical marijuana permits, owners said.
"We want people to know that our doors are open," general manager Jeff Soenksen said. "The Dispensary seemed like a good fit for District 1. Fulton has welcomed us with open arms."
Those with permits — at the moment, about 7,900 statewide — can buy medical marijuana at The Dispensary as long as they designated it on their application; it mostly will serve patients in Whiteside, Carroll, Lee and Ogle counties.
Patients with one of 39 conditions and diseases — including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, and post traumatic stress disorder — are eligible for a permit, which requires a doctor's approval.
"We sell a wide range of cannabis products such as flowers, herb and smokable concentrate [and] cannabis oils " Soenksen said.
The 3,150-square-foot facility at 1801 16th Ave., which opened a week ago today, has seven employees and occupies one of three spaces in the new Fulton Crossing Development on the southeast corner of state Routes 136 and 84, in the town's tax increment financing district.
The Dispensary had to pass a state inspection before it could open, which was "a pretty lengthy process," Soenksen said. "Once we got state approval, we then had to get all the products moved in."
"We are all very excited about it," Fulton City Administrator Ed Cannon said recently. "We are all in favor of it, and the city has been behind this 100 percent. Every vote before the City Council was unanimous to support this."
The day before The Dispensary opened for business, Gov. Bruce Rauner approved legislation extending the state pilot program for 2.5 years, until July 2020, and included two more medical conditions — PTSD and terminal illnesses that give the patient fewer than 6 months to live.
Medical marijuana advocates and experts called it a turning point that gives patients guaranteed access to the drug and provides confidence to those selling and cultivating it in the state.
The Illinois Department of Public Health officials said the agency must draft emergency rules, develop forms and adjust online registration and registry cards before those with PTSD and terminal illnesses can apply for the medical marijuana program.
IDPH will post information on its website when applications can be accepted, spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said.
Lawmakers legalized a 4-year pilot program in 2013, but the first sales weren't until November 2015. Without Rauner signing the legislation, the program would have expired at the end of 2017.
Lawsuits are pending that challenge the state's decision to not include osteoarthritis, autism, chronic post-operative pain, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, polycystic kidney disease and intractable pain.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Sauk Valley's First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens In Fulton
Author: Jermaine Pigee
Contact: 815-625-3600
Photo Credit: Alex T. Paschal
Website: Sauk Valley
The Dispensary opened last week to serve the 150 or so people in District 1 who have medical marijuana permits, owners said.
"We want people to know that our doors are open," general manager Jeff Soenksen said. "The Dispensary seemed like a good fit for District 1. Fulton has welcomed us with open arms."
Those with permits — at the moment, about 7,900 statewide — can buy medical marijuana at The Dispensary as long as they designated it on their application; it mostly will serve patients in Whiteside, Carroll, Lee and Ogle counties.
Patients with one of 39 conditions and diseases — including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, and post traumatic stress disorder — are eligible for a permit, which requires a doctor's approval.
"We sell a wide range of cannabis products such as flowers, herb and smokable concentrate [and] cannabis oils " Soenksen said.
The 3,150-square-foot facility at 1801 16th Ave., which opened a week ago today, has seven employees and occupies one of three spaces in the new Fulton Crossing Development on the southeast corner of state Routes 136 and 84, in the town's tax increment financing district.
The Dispensary had to pass a state inspection before it could open, which was "a pretty lengthy process," Soenksen said. "Once we got state approval, we then had to get all the products moved in."
"We are all very excited about it," Fulton City Administrator Ed Cannon said recently. "We are all in favor of it, and the city has been behind this 100 percent. Every vote before the City Council was unanimous to support this."
The day before The Dispensary opened for business, Gov. Bruce Rauner approved legislation extending the state pilot program for 2.5 years, until July 2020, and included two more medical conditions — PTSD and terminal illnesses that give the patient fewer than 6 months to live.
Medical marijuana advocates and experts called it a turning point that gives patients guaranteed access to the drug and provides confidence to those selling and cultivating it in the state.
The Illinois Department of Public Health officials said the agency must draft emergency rules, develop forms and adjust online registration and registry cards before those with PTSD and terminal illnesses can apply for the medical marijuana program.
IDPH will post information on its website when applications can be accepted, spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said.
Lawmakers legalized a 4-year pilot program in 2013, but the first sales weren't until November 2015. Without Rauner signing the legislation, the program would have expired at the end of 2017.
Lawsuits are pending that challenge the state's decision to not include osteoarthritis, autism, chronic post-operative pain, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, polycystic kidney disease and intractable pain.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Sauk Valley's First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens In Fulton
Author: Jermaine Pigee
Contact: 815-625-3600
Photo Credit: Alex T. Paschal
Website: Sauk Valley
