Illinois Begins Work on Medical Marijuana Rules

Illinois officials have begun setting up a system to let people buy medical marijuana in the state.

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports officials from at least four state agencies are meeting to draft rules that will govern medical marijuana distribution.

They hope to present a final version of the rules to lawmakers in the spring.

In August, Illinois became the 20th state to legalize medical marijuana. The law sets up a four-year pilot program for state-regulated dispensaries and 22 so-called cultivation centers, where the plants will be grown.

Only patients with serious illnesses or diseases will be allowed to get the drug. They must have established relationships with a doctor and will be limited to 2.5 ounces every two weeks.