Illinois approves 3,100 medical marijuana patients
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - This Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 file photo shows a medical marijuana plant at a dispensary in Seattle. Increased use of medical marijuana may lead to more young children getting sick from accidentally eating food made with the drug, a Colorado study suggests. The study was released Monday, May 27, 2013 in JAMA Pediatrics. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Illinois is continuing to approve patients to use medical marijuana, with about 100 more approval letters sent in September.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Wednesday it has approved 3,100 patients to use medical marijuana in the state's pilot program. That includes 16 children.
Medical marijuana growers say they will have products ready to sell later this month in licensed dispensaries. So far, dispensaries in Mundelein, Canton and Quincy are fully licensed and ready to open.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The health department said that about 4,000 people have submitted complete applications. The program began accepting application in September of 2014.
Qualifying patients pay an annual fee of $100 for a marijuana card and need a doctor's written certification.