Proposed rules for the State of Illinois’ implementation of the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, released Friday, remove a restriction allowing a person to have both a Firearm Owners Identification card and  a medical cannabis identification card.

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The proposed restriction had proven controversial, but may return.

“The State is continuing to examine how the State’s medical cannabis and firearm laws may interact with federal firearm laws,” a statement from the Illinois Department of Public Health indicated.

The updated proposed rules include a $100 registration fees for eligible patients; $50 for eligible patients on Social Security Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance, as well as veterans; and $25 for caregivers.

A company wanting to become a licensed cultivation center will have to prove $500,000 in liquid assets and provide a $25,000 non-refundable application fee if the latest proposed rules are approved by the Illinois General Assembly. Companies wanting to become a dispensary will be required to provide a $5,000 non-refundable application fee and prove $400,000 in liquid assets.

As many as 60 dispensaries may be located around the state. There will be 21 cultivation centers, one in each Illinois State Police Districts except District 15, for the Illinois Tollway system. The cultivation centers, under the proposed rules, will be inspected at least weekly and will have a live security camera video feed to the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

The State will get 7 percent in taxes from cultivators on sales to dispensaries. Patients/caregivers will pay a 1 percent sales tax.

The proposed rules for the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act have been published in the Illinois Register and will be available for an additional 45 days of public comment until the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) begins its review.

Over the past several months, the State collected input from people with chronic illnesses, business entrepreneurs, medical cannabis advocates, municipalities and others commenting on the draft proposed rules, the statement indicated.

“We’ve ensured a transparent rulemaking process by offering the public a chance to weigh-in on the proposed medical cannabis rules, even before seeking legislative approval,” said Bob Morgan, IDPH General Counsel and statewide program coordinator.  “The rules make sure Illinois has the nation’s strictest safeguards to prevent abuse, while offering relief and help to eligible patients to ease their suffering.”

JCAR follows a 2-step process that generally lasts for a minimum of 90 days.  Both the general public and the General Assembly, through JCAR, have the chance to offer input prior to the rules getting adopted.