There's one issue nobody wants to talk about when it comes to state medical marijuana laws, and that's the part where people still have to break the law.
Getting the first seeds for medical operations often involves either shopping in the underground market or crossing state lines, which is a violation of state and federal laws. The situation is known as the "immaculate conception'' or the "first seed'' problem.
Those involved see it as an absurd consequence of the nation's patchwork of laws, with 23 states allowing medical marijuana sales, two states allowing recreational use and a federal prohibition still in place. Most states are silent on the issue, which leads officials into a "don't ask, don't tell'' stance.
Illinois is in the application process for cultivation centers and dispensaries for medical marijuana.