As Illinois pot shops make plans to rake in big bucks when recreational marijuana becomes legal Jan. 1, one licensed dispensary is choosing to hold off.
Maribis of Chicago, at 4570 S. Archer Ave. in Brighton Park, said Thursday that although the state has approved its application, it won’t sell to recreational customers for at least a month. That means only nine of the 10 shops the state has licensed to sell both medical and recreational pot in Chicago will be open to all customers over the age of 21 next week.
The decision came down to supply, according to Robert Morales, the store’s manager. Morales told the Sun-Times he expects the state “to fully run out of supplies within the fifth day of recreational” sales.
The dispensary’s decision to hold off on the potentially lucrative first month of recreational sales comes after pro-pot lawmakers warned of an imminent supply shortage earlier this month.
“I feel like [the state has] rushed too quick, and we are looking at a shortage of product just like all the other dispensaries around,” said Morales, adding that Maribis will start selling to recreational customers on or after Feb. 1.
“We’d rather wait for the dust to settle,” he noted.
Maribis’ medical pot shop in Springfield also won’t open for recreational sales on Jan. 1.
The store will still sell to Illinois patients with medical cannabis licenses. Under state law, medical dispensaries are required to maintain an adequate supply for patients even after pot is fully legalized.
Getting a medical marijuana card is easier than ever after the state made a pilot program permanent earlier this year. A patient with a qualifying prescription can get authorized by the state to buy medical pot within less than 24 hours of submitting an application online.
