Some Illinois teens could potentially be working in the medical marijuana industry this summer thanks to a generous donation to the city of Bloomington for the creation of a labor program for local youngsters.

Earlier this week, Curative Health, Inc., a medical marijuana corporation based in New York, submitted a check for $20,000 to the city council in hopes of greasing the political wheels enough to earn themselves a license to operate a dispensary within the city limits. The contribution, which was reportedly a suggestion made by Mayor Tari Renner, is intended to create summer work opportunities for the city’s at-risk teens.

Greenhouse Group, LLC, is looking to do much more for its customers then sell them medical marijuana should it be approved to open a dispensary in Deerfield.

The company, which hopes to open its facility at 151 South Pfingston Road in the Cook County portion of the village by the fourth quarter of this year, wants to develop a community for the people it intends to help.

CEO Mitch Kahn, a Deerfield resident, laid out his vision for Greenhouse at a workshop session of the Deerfield Plan Commission on April 23 at Village Hall. He aims to create an atmosphere where seriously ill patients can be comfortable. At a workshop session commissioners offer suggestions but cast no vote.

Possessing small amounts of marijuana in Illinois would be punished by ticket

SPRINGFIELD — A bill that cleared the Illinois House on Thursday by a bipartisan 62-53 vote would put possession of small amounts of marijuana on par with traffic tickets.

The proposal by Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, would make a possession of 15 grams (about half an ounce) or less a civil law offense punishable by a maximum fine of $125.

The measure, House Bill 218, does not make marijuana a legal substance.

Cassidy said her intent is to bring uniformity to a patchwork of more than 100 local government ordinances that vary tremendously regarding amount of the drug and size of the fine.

QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) - The Medical Marijuana program in Illinois, which started in January of 2014, is off to a slow start, but public health officials say now is the time for patients to apply.

First, patients need to fill out an application to get a medical marijuana card. They'll need their doctor to sign a form showing they have an eligible condition. 

Illinois health officials say they were able to iron out the approval process after looking at the dozens of other states with similar programs.

A bill to extend the state’s medical marijuana pilot program overwhelmingly passed the House Tuesday.

The bill passed 81 to 28 with one legislator voting present, according to state records.

Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, who sponsored the extension and has championed the state’s medical marijuana law, said he’s hopeful the bill will make it through the Senate and that Gov. Bruce Rauner will sign it — allowing the delayed medical marijuana program to have a full four years of operation before expiring.

Lang’s bill seeks to extend the program four years from when the first dispensary begins officially operating. It’s now set to expire at the end of 2017.

Legislation extending Illinois' medical marijuana program beyond 2017 has passed the Illinois House despite some recent opposition from Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The bill is sponsored by Skokie Democratic Rep. Lou Lang. He sponsored the original legislation establishing the pilot program which is scheduled for automatic repeal on Jan. 1, 2018.

The state’s medical marijuana czar is stepping down.

Bob Morgan, a lawyer who runs the state’s medical marijuana program, will leave his post May 6.

“It has been an incredible honor to serve the state and the patients of the medical cannabis program. I am grateful to Gov. [Pat] Quinn for his initial appointment of me, and to Gov. [Bruce] Rauner for retaining me in my role during this transition period,” Morgan said in a text message. “While I will be moving into private legal practice, I plan to continue advocating for Illinois patients with debilitating medical conditions and have confidence in the long-term success of the pilot program.”

A spokesman for the governor’s office could not immediately comment on who will replace Morgan.

The blue states have legalized marijuana for only medical purposes, while the red states have legalized it for both medical and recreational purposes. In all, 23 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana in some form.

It's been almost 20 years since the first state legalized medical marijuana, but conflicting regulations between the states and the lack of federal direction on its rules and regulations have left the industry fractured and stunted.

Bob Morgan, the current head of the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot project is stepping down. Things that make me go hmmm??? Mr. Morgan stated that it had been a pleasure to serve. I can’t help but wonder if he is considering any possibility of the many lawsuits and (hopefully) investigations into the licensing procedure leading to service in an orange jumpsuit.

I’m not suggesting that Mr. Morgan was involved in any wrong -doing. I have no information and I haven’t heard any talk on the street. I will say that there are some interesting things developing.