Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
It's not exactly clear why the medical cannabis dispensary planned for downtown Oak Park — originally intended to open in January 2016 — still isn't up and running, but owner Brad Zerman says he aims to have the doors open by August.
Zerman said the delayed opening of Seven Point Dispensary was the fault of the landlord and that the buildout of the shop planned for 1140 Lake St. "wasn't in my control." Zerman did not elaborate.
The shop should be ready for inspection by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation by the end of July, Zerman said. He said workers are completing installation of some plumbing and minor electrical work, which should be completed this week.
John Campbell, Illinois' statewide medical cannabis coordinator, who oversees the pilot program, said in an email that to date 39 of the 60 potential dispensaries have opened in Illinois and 19 of the potential 22 cultivation center have opened.
Dispensary applicants authorized by the state to register for a license must submit registration materials within 120 days, Campbell said in the email.
"Registration materials include a date the dispensary will be prepared for a licensing inspection," he said. "Dispensary applicants may request to reschedule a licensing inspection for reasonable cause."
Zerman said that while the shop is being completed, he and Seven Point staff have held more than 100 workshops to educate potential cardholders. According to the state's medical cannabis website, the state has signed up 7,900 medical cannabis users.
Zerman noted that some have criticized dispensary owners who have yet to open, arguing that they are waiting for the patient base to grow more before opening their doors. That's not what's happening at Seven Point, he said.
"We've been doing everything we can to get open," he said.
He said that Seven Point has signed up 75 cardholders over the last year.
"We've been helping the patient base grow in Illinois to the benefit of our competitors," he said.
Signing up cardholders is only half the battle, Zerman said, noting that Seven Point and other dispensary owners have worked to educate doctors on providing patients with the certification necessary to get a medical cannabis card. That entitles patients to receive two-and-a-half ounces of medical cannabis a week.
Campbell told Wednesday Journal that between September 2014 and June 2015, 1,175 licensed Illinois physicians submitted patient certifications for qualifying patients seeking to participate in the medical cannabis program.
"The medical provider must be a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, have a controlled substances license under Article III of Illinois Controlled Substances Act, be in good standing to practice medicine in Illinois, and have a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the patient they are certifying for medical cannabis," Campbell said.
Zerman noted that in addition to the dispensary, Seven Point also has purchased an office adjacent to the shop large enough to hold future workshops for about 10 to 15 people.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Oak Park Cannabis Dispensary Shoots For August Opening
Author: Timothy Inklebarger
Contact: 708-524-8300
Photo Credit: Seven Point
Website: Oak Park
Zerman said the delayed opening of Seven Point Dispensary was the fault of the landlord and that the buildout of the shop planned for 1140 Lake St. "wasn't in my control." Zerman did not elaborate.
The shop should be ready for inspection by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation by the end of July, Zerman said. He said workers are completing installation of some plumbing and minor electrical work, which should be completed this week.
John Campbell, Illinois' statewide medical cannabis coordinator, who oversees the pilot program, said in an email that to date 39 of the 60 potential dispensaries have opened in Illinois and 19 of the potential 22 cultivation center have opened.
Dispensary applicants authorized by the state to register for a license must submit registration materials within 120 days, Campbell said in the email.
"Registration materials include a date the dispensary will be prepared for a licensing inspection," he said. "Dispensary applicants may request to reschedule a licensing inspection for reasonable cause."
Zerman said that while the shop is being completed, he and Seven Point staff have held more than 100 workshops to educate potential cardholders. According to the state's medical cannabis website, the state has signed up 7,900 medical cannabis users.
Zerman noted that some have criticized dispensary owners who have yet to open, arguing that they are waiting for the patient base to grow more before opening their doors. That's not what's happening at Seven Point, he said.
"We've been doing everything we can to get open," he said.
He said that Seven Point has signed up 75 cardholders over the last year.
"We've been helping the patient base grow in Illinois to the benefit of our competitors," he said.
Signing up cardholders is only half the battle, Zerman said, noting that Seven Point and other dispensary owners have worked to educate doctors on providing patients with the certification necessary to get a medical cannabis card. That entitles patients to receive two-and-a-half ounces of medical cannabis a week.
Campbell told Wednesday Journal that between September 2014 and June 2015, 1,175 licensed Illinois physicians submitted patient certifications for qualifying patients seeking to participate in the medical cannabis program.
"The medical provider must be a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, have a controlled substances license under Article III of Illinois Controlled Substances Act, be in good standing to practice medicine in Illinois, and have a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the patient they are certifying for medical cannabis," Campbell said.
Zerman noted that in addition to the dispensary, Seven Point also has purchased an office adjacent to the shop large enough to hold future workshops for about 10 to 15 people.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Oak Park Cannabis Dispensary Shoots For August Opening
Author: Timothy Inklebarger
Contact: 708-524-8300
Photo Credit: Seven Point
Website: Oak Park
