CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago’s first medical marijuana dispensary, Dispensary 33, officially opened its doors today at the corner of Clark and Argyle in what was once a pizza place.

The Delavan facility is working on hundreds of genetic strains, and plants are harvested about five times each year.

The Delavan facility is working on hundreds of genetic strains, and plants are harvested about five times each year.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Marijuana advocates are trying to lay the groundwork for Illinois to become the first state in the Midwest and the ninth nationwide to legalize recreational pot, arguing the move will help solve the state’s notorious budget crisis.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Marijuana advocates are trying to lay the groundwork for Illinois to become the first state in the Midwest and the ninth nationwide to legalize recreational pot, arguing the move will help solve the state’s notorious budget crisis.

Lawmakers are proposing to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois but say the legislation probably won't come up for a vote until next year.

Lawmakers are proposing to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois but say the legislation probably won't come up for a vote until next year.

Legal recreational marijuana will be part of Illinois’ future. It’s a matter of when, not if. That’s the message from lawmakers backing legislation to fully legalize and regulate pot, and the coalition of groups lining up to support the bills.

Legal recreational marijuana will be part of Illinois’ future. It’s a matter of when, not if. That’s the message from lawmakers backing legislation to fully legalize and regulate pot, and the coalition of groups lining up to support the bills.

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Medical marijuana sales reached more than $3.8 million last month at licensed dispensaries throughout Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Medical marijuana sales reached more than $3.8 million last month at licensed dispensaries throughout Illinois.

CHICAGO -- More than 3,000 patients with Illinois-issued ID cards will be able to buy medical marijuana legally for the first time Monday, according to the state official overseeing the pilot program.

Bruce Kennedy ~ WeedWorthy.com~

A certified pharmacist and leading medical marijuana advocate sees consumer demand expanding at his suburban Chicago dispensary.

Medical marijuana industry advocates and observers say a dearth of doctors willing to recommend patients is among the hurdles Illinois’ fledgling industry needs to overcome.

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois is marking its first year of medical marijuana sales as more states voted on Election Day to allow legal use of the drug.

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois is marking its first year of medical marijuana sales as more states voted on Election Day to allow legal use of the drug.

A Cook County judge ruled Tuesday that the state must add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana.

In a ruling that could significantly expand the use of medical marijuana in Illinois, a judge has ordered state officials to reconsider adding migraine headaches to the list of conditions that qualify a patient to buy the drug.

In a ruling that could significantly expand the use of medical marijuana in Illinois, a judge has ordered state officials to reconsider adding migraine headaches to the list of conditions that qualify a patient to buy the drug.

Nature's Treatment of Illinois, a licensed cannabis retail shop in Milan, hosted the first-ever event of its kind here, which drew about 200 people to The Stern Center.

Only a fraction of the 60 planned medical marijuana dispensaries opened in the state this week.

Illinois state regulators have authorized only about 3,300 patients — a far cry from the 100,000-plus originally projected.

The look inside the state's secretive program comes as the struggling medical marijuana industry in Illinois is poised to grow.

The look inside the state's secretive program comes as the struggling medical marijuana industry in Illinois is poised to grow.

Among the roughly 700 people who have walked through our doors, the typical patient — at Harbory we call them "members" — skews older and female, a demographic we are proud to match in our incredible staff.

Among the roughly 700 people who have walked through our doors, the typical patient — at Harbory we call them "members" — skews older and female, a demographic we are proud to match in our incredible staff.