The licensed medical marijuana dispensary in downtown Evanstonasked to to renew its rental agreement with the city for one year instead of three to accommodate uncertainty in the state’s medical cannabis program
PharmaCann opened a location in 2015 on the ground floor of the city-owned Maple self-park garage at 1804 Maple Ave. The dispensary was permitted under the state’s four-year pilot program, which ends on Dec. 31, 2017. The Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act allows for legal cultivation and distribution of medicinal-grade cannabis – more commonly known as marijuana – for use by certain people with approved medical conditions, according to terms of the state law.
PharmaCann’s lease also expires on Dec. 31, according to city information on the lease. Dispensary officials asked to renew the lease for one year instead of the three years in the initial rental agreement. That would mean the tenancy would run to December 31, 2018 instead of the same date in 2020, all to allow for PharmaCann to evaluate the state of the program after the pilot project ends and react accordingly, officials said.
Evanston aldermen unanimously approved the request at their Sept. 25 meeting.
PharmaCann, based in Oak Park, opened Evanston’s first medical marijuana dispensary after the state program was approved. To buy marijuana at the dispensary patients must first register with the state, according to Evanston Review reports.
That process includes submitting fingerprints and a form signed by a physician certifying the patient has one of the dozens of qualifying conditions listed in the Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.
PharmaCann rents the space from the City of Evanston for $84,000 per year, according to terms of the lease.
credit:chicagotribune.com
