12K Illinois Patients Approved for Medical Marijuana in Program’s 1st Year

Next week brings the anniversary of legal medical marijuana sales in Illinois and the program is growing steadily. Patients with state approval to buy marijuana now number about 12,000.

The state released new monthly figures on Nov. 2. Retailers sold $4.1 million in marijuana products during October, marking another month of increasing sales.

Last month’s figures bring the total retail sales in Illinois to $28 million since purchasing began Nov. 9, 2015.

The number of dispensaries continues to grow, too, with 46 now licensed to sell medical marijuana.

What’s ahead? Seven lawsuits have been filed by Illinois patients who want their medical conditions added to the list of qualifying conditions and are working their way through the courts. The cases could expand the number of patients eligible for the program.