Illinois medical marijuana sales surpass $1 million

Illinois patients legally purchased nearly $1.7 million worth of medical marijuana during November and December, officials said.

On Monday, program director Joseph Wright announced sales figures since Nov. 9, when Illinois launched regulated sales with the opening of the state’s first licensed cannabis dispensaries.

Wholesale sales — what growers sold to dispensaries — totaled more than $1.5 million. That indicates Illinois has collected roughly $107,000 in taxes in the pilot program. Marijuana wholesalers pay a 7 percent tax to the state.

Wright said licensed dispensaries have served 2,815 unique patients. By the end of 2015, 20 dispensaries were licensed to operate in Illinois. The retail price per gram on average was roughly $14 to $15.

Illinois is among 23 states that allow at least medical use of marijuana.