The Progression of Medical To Adult-Use Marijuana in Illinois
Although Illinois begins its legalization of adult-use marijuana on January 1st, 2020, the journey to get there was a process. Starting in 2013, Illinois started its legalization of medical cannabis. From there, the state faced many ongoing obstacles while trying to increase the overall access to the plant.
However, companies like the cannabis consulting firm, Quantum 9 works diligently to aid their clients toward obtaining marijuana in not only Illinois but worldwide. Consisting of cannabis consulting in over 10 different countries, Quantum 9 specializes in expert cannabis consulting through application services, permit acquisition and licensing. Therefore, Michael Mayes, the CEO of Quantum 9, was featured in the Belleville News-Democrat to discuss the various hurdles patients in Illinois endured back in 2015.
Expert Cannabis Consultant, Michael Mayes Discusses Medical Marijuana in Illinois
In this article, Mayes explains the complications many medical patients faced while applying for a medical marijuana card when the program first started. Two years into the program and only 3,000 patients were approved and on track to obtaining marijuana in Illinois. With this, Mayes observed the barriers in the overall process. From finding a sympathetic physician, to lengthy background checks and fingerprinting, Mayes states that the application was “incredibly difficult” (2015).
Additionally, Mayes stated in 2015 how the Illinois medical marijuana program is a perfect recipe for a “ripe black market”. To decrease the growth of an illicit market, the race to easily accessible medical marijuana continued. While Mayes and the team at Quantum 9 continue to persist toward cannabis consulting, advancements for marijuana in Illinois proceeds.
From Then to Now in Illinois
Eventually, as the application process improved, momentum for the cannabis industry in Illinois was apparent. From 3,000 medical patients in 2015 to over 85,000 patients in 2019, Illinois is the 11th state to legalize adult-use marijuana.
With the new law starting in January 2020, anyone 21 or older can legally buy adult-use marijuana in Illinois. Therefore, the entrance of new cannabusinesses will be highly competitive because of the state’s limit on approved licenses.
Consequently, Quantum 9 forecasts an increase in demand in the state of Illinois. Because of this, the company continues to prioritize access to the plant globally and nationwide. Focusing on efforts toward facility design and application writing, the team works in over ten different counties with a 92% licensing approval rate.
For Quantum 9 cannabis consulting services, please click here.
