Retail sales of medical marijuana in Illinois increased by roughly 30 percent in March compared to the previous month.
Program director Joseph Wright says the state's registered dispensaries sold $1.9 million worth of marijuana in March to more than 4,700 patients. It was the best month yet in sales for the program.
Illinois now has 32 registered dispensaries where qualified patients can buy the drug. Three new dispensaries registered in March.
Wright says approximately 5,500 patients now qualify for the program.
Regulated medical marijuana sales began Nov. 9 in Illinois. Since then, the shops have sold $6.3 million worth of medical marijuana products, including dry flower, concentrates and edibles.
The state allows its use for 39 medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma and seizures.
Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers rejected a measure that would have required medical marijuana products to carry warning labels about possible side effects.
Democrats who opposed the bill Monday argued the labels are unnecessary because doctors already give patients a briefing on what to expect from marijuana before prescribing it.
The House Substance Abuse Special Committee rejected the measure on 5-3 vote with only Republicans voting in favor.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Dwight Kay, argued that people who are not medical marijuana users but may come in contact with it should be aware about possible side-effects like dizziness, impaired thought, or delirium.
