Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Residents can't just walk into PharmaCannis, La Salle County's only medical marijuana dispensary. It's a process.
A security guard needs two forms of identification. To move beyond the foyer, a resident must have a state medical marijuana card, unless the state gives special permission for them to enter. Video cameras cover every part of the facility but the restrooms.
The state requires strict security.
For a Times reporter and photographer to enter, Anna Johnson, PharmaCannis' general manager, received state permission. She also needs to get approval for vendors, such as plumbers to work in the building.
Only two of PharmaCannis' four local employees have permission to dispense the medication. Under state law, a patient may get no more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana every two weeks.
Last fall, PharmaCannis opened next to Anytime Fitness at 4104 Columbus St. It is one of 39 licensed dispensaries across Illinois, which started allowing the sale of medical marijuana last year.
PharmaCannis also runs dispensaries Schaumburg, North Aurora and Evanston. It grows marijuana in greenhouses in Dwight and Hillcrest.
Typical customers at the local dispensary are in their mid-50s, while they skew younger in the suburbs. There are a few more men than women at the local dispensary, Johnson said. Some customers come from 100 miles or more, but most are from the area, she said.
The majority had never used marijuana, Johnson said, jokingly adding, "At least since the 1970s."
"They're often not familiar with cannabis, and they don't want to smoke," she said.
Instead, they prefer their marijuana in different forms, including edibles and oils, Johnson said.
Compared with the suburbs, Johnson said, it has taken doctors outside of Chicagoland "a little bit" longer to get on board with the medical marijuana program.
The dispensary hired four employees - Johnson, a security worker and two patient care representatives.
Their goal, Johnson said, is to make customers feel comfortable.
Ann Gehl, who handles security, said state law requires the dispensary follow security procedures. She makes sure customers carrying marijuana get to their car safely.
"I watch what's going on in the parking lot," said Gehl, who previously worked in security for Exelon.
A patient must have a signed physician certification to qualify for a medical marijuana card and suffer a qualifying debilitating medical condition, among other requirements. There are more than 40 qualifying medical conditions.
Doctors certify patients for one of more than 40 qualifying conditions for medical marijuana. Then people must get permission from the state to buy the product, a process that involves fingerprints and background checks.
PharmaCannis conducts seminars about how to incorporate medical marijuana into a care regimen.
"There has been negative reporting about cannabis over the years," Johnson said. "To change that perception, we highlight the medical benefits of cannabis. We want our company to set the standard. All of us got involved here, because we are passionate about this."
To qualify for a patient registry identification card, a qualifying patient must:
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Security Tight At Ottawa Marijuana Facility
Author: David Giuliani
Contact: 815-433-2000
Photo Credit: Tom Sistak
Website: The Times
A security guard needs two forms of identification. To move beyond the foyer, a resident must have a state medical marijuana card, unless the state gives special permission for them to enter. Video cameras cover every part of the facility but the restrooms.
The state requires strict security.
For a Times reporter and photographer to enter, Anna Johnson, PharmaCannis' general manager, received state permission. She also needs to get approval for vendors, such as plumbers to work in the building.
Only two of PharmaCannis' four local employees have permission to dispense the medication. Under state law, a patient may get no more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana every two weeks.
Last fall, PharmaCannis opened next to Anytime Fitness at 4104 Columbus St. It is one of 39 licensed dispensaries across Illinois, which started allowing the sale of medical marijuana last year.
PharmaCannis also runs dispensaries Schaumburg, North Aurora and Evanston. It grows marijuana in greenhouses in Dwight and Hillcrest.
Typical customers at the local dispensary are in their mid-50s, while they skew younger in the suburbs. There are a few more men than women at the local dispensary, Johnson said. Some customers come from 100 miles or more, but most are from the area, she said.
The majority had never used marijuana, Johnson said, jokingly adding, "At least since the 1970s."
"They're often not familiar with cannabis, and they don't want to smoke," she said.
Instead, they prefer their marijuana in different forms, including edibles and oils, Johnson said.
Compared with the suburbs, Johnson said, it has taken doctors outside of Chicagoland "a little bit" longer to get on board with the medical marijuana program.
The dispensary hired four employees - Johnson, a security worker and two patient care representatives.
Their goal, Johnson said, is to make customers feel comfortable.
Ann Gehl, who handles security, said state law requires the dispensary follow security procedures. She makes sure customers carrying marijuana get to their car safely.
"I watch what's going on in the parking lot," said Gehl, who previously worked in security for Exelon.
A patient must have a signed physician certification to qualify for a medical marijuana card and suffer a qualifying debilitating medical condition, among other requirements. There are more than 40 qualifying medical conditions.
Doctors certify patients for one of more than 40 qualifying conditions for medical marijuana. Then people must get permission from the state to buy the product, a process that involves fingerprints and background checks.
PharmaCannis conducts seminars about how to incorporate medical marijuana into a care regimen.
"There has been negative reporting about cannabis over the years," Johnson said. "To change that perception, we highlight the medical benefits of cannabis. We want our company to set the standard. All of us got involved here, because we are passionate about this."
To qualify for a patient registry identification card, a qualifying patient must:
- Be a resident of Illinois at the time of application and remain a resident during participation in the program;
- Have a qualifying debilitating medical condition;
- Have a signed physician certification for the use of medical marijuana;
- Complete the fingerprint-based background check and not have been convicted of an excluded offense (a felony under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, Cannabis Control Act or Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or similar provisions in a local ordinance or other jurisdiction), unless the department waives such a conviction(s);
- Be at least 18 years old; not hold a school bus permit or commercial driver's license; and
- Not be an active duty law enforcement officer, correctional officer, correctional probation officer or firefighter.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Security Tight At Ottawa Marijuana Facility
Author: David Giuliani
Contact: 815-433-2000
Photo Credit: Tom Sistak
Website: The Times
