In the weeds of the state’s medical marijuana law

What’s going to stop a dispensary or patient from selling an extra dime bag to a friend?

It could happen, and probably will, but not as often as the stoners next door would like. Dispensaries and grow centers are required to track every speck of marijuana they handle, and anyone who breaks the law risks having his business shut down, his property seized, and his ass hauled to jail for felony drug trafficking. Doctors who sign off on bogus cannabis prescriptions could also face professional discipline and arrest.

More likely is the possibility of leakage from patients who don’t use all 2.5 ounces they’re allowed every two weeks. Rep Lang isn’t sweating it. “There’s also leakage of Vicodin and morphine and all kinds of other pharmaceuticals that can actually kill you. I think this worry about marijuana is ridiculous, especially since you and I could go to any high school in the state and buy some.”

I can’t help but fret a little bit about the pot dealer in my building. Is this going to put him out of business or drive up his prices?

Most experts don’t believe the new law will have much of an impact on the black market, especially since the size of the program is expected to be so modest. But if there is some leakage, the marketplace may slowly include more professionally cultivated goods from Illinois and other states. The availability of not just cannabis buds but also products like hash oil, vaporizers, and edibles could increase.

My conservative Uncle Ron says medical marijuana laws just open the door to legalizing pot for everybody. So when can we expect this in Illinois?

Not real soon. It took years to pass this restrictive medical bill.

Then again, Dan Linn of NORML says some legislators are privately saying it’s time for much bolder steps. “It would be surprising to have Illinois not start discussing legalization within four or five years.”

UPDATE:This story has been amended to reflect the fact that New Hampshire’s medical marijuana bill was signed into law on July 23, which would make Illinois the 20th state to create a medical cannabis program.ere.”

Article Appeared @http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/how-medical-marijuana-will-work-in-illinois/Content?oid=10420732

 

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