Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Before the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program took effect one group estimated as many as 30,000 people could get approved for the drug in Illinois.
But right now that number is much lower.
The doors to Rockford's medical marijuana dispensaries, Mapleglen Care Center and Medmar, are not even open yet. But that hasn't stopped patients from reaching out.
"I get calls now on a daily basis from patients who are interested in getting information," says Mapleglen Care Center Chief Operating Officer Amy Manganelli.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced this week that it has only approved 3,100 patients to use the drug. What it won't say is where those patients are.
"There in lies the difficulty here. You know that there are 3,100 patients out there, you don't know where they are...and so were are just kind of taking it day by day," Manganelli says.
Manganelli says that means she has no idea how many customers she'll have. But she hopes more will sign up and that the lack of patients now may have to do with confusion over the approval process.
"The number one question they ask is how do they get their registry identification card. Directing them in the right direction has become a part-time job," Manganelli says.
"There is quite a bit of confusion in the health world, in the patient world, in the dispensary world," says Medical Marijuana Sign Up Services Owner Andy Polonsky.
Patients must get certification from their doctor, submit an application and go through a screening process.
"You do need need to be finger printed, and there are photos also, and that creates an FBI background check and then that goes to the state," Polonsky says.
Polonsky, who is working with Medmar to sign up patients, says the process takes up to four weeks.
While he admits the number of people registered is low, he thinks it will grow as people become more familiar with the sign- up process.
Both Medmar and Mapleglen Care Center are awaiting final certification from the state. They are hoping to open in November.
Medmar starts public consultations next week.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Hitting A Snag Attracting Customers
Author: Reuben Jones
Contact: Email The Author
Photo Credit: WIFR News
Website: WREX News
But right now that number is much lower.
The doors to Rockford's medical marijuana dispensaries, Mapleglen Care Center and Medmar, are not even open yet. But that hasn't stopped patients from reaching out.
"I get calls now on a daily basis from patients who are interested in getting information," says Mapleglen Care Center Chief Operating Officer Amy Manganelli.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced this week that it has only approved 3,100 patients to use the drug. What it won't say is where those patients are.
"There in lies the difficulty here. You know that there are 3,100 patients out there, you don't know where they are...and so were are just kind of taking it day by day," Manganelli says.
Manganelli says that means she has no idea how many customers she'll have. But she hopes more will sign up and that the lack of patients now may have to do with confusion over the approval process.
"The number one question they ask is how do they get their registry identification card. Directing them in the right direction has become a part-time job," Manganelli says.
"There is quite a bit of confusion in the health world, in the patient world, in the dispensary world," says Medical Marijuana Sign Up Services Owner Andy Polonsky.
Patients must get certification from their doctor, submit an application and go through a screening process.
"You do need need to be finger printed, and there are photos also, and that creates an FBI background check and then that goes to the state," Polonsky says.
Polonsky, who is working with Medmar to sign up patients, says the process takes up to four weeks.
While he admits the number of people registered is low, he thinks it will grow as people become more familiar with the sign- up process.
Both Medmar and Mapleglen Care Center are awaiting final certification from the state. They are hoping to open in November.
Medmar starts public consultations next week.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Hitting A Snag Attracting Customers
Author: Reuben Jones
Contact: Email The Author
Photo Credit: WIFR News
Website: WREX News
