3/28/2020 IDOA & DCEO Cannabis Updates and FAQ
Coronavirus Community Resource Guide from Congresswoman Underwood
As we all learn to cope with the shelter in place guidelines in Illinois, we wanted to share this “Coronavirus Community Resource Guide” provided by the offices of Congresswoman Underwood. This guide may offer you relevant information on available resources here in Illinois. CBAI reminds everyone to be smart and prioritize the safety of yourself and others as we face the challenges that accompany the COVID-19 pandemic.
CBAI: Cannabis Dispensaries Taking Important Steps to Keep Customers, Staff Safe from Coronavirus
For Immediate Release
March 2020
CBAI: Cannabis Dispensaries Taking Important Steps to Keep Customers, Staff Safe from Coronavirus
SPRINGFIELD – As part of their ongoing commitment to putting customer health and safety first, members of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois are taking important precautions and protections as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds.
The state of Illinois has allowed cannabis dispensaries to take orders from medical patients on the curbs or in the parking lots of their facilities to reduce human contact between customers and staff. Guidance from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation allows dispensaries until March 30 to take orders for medical patients – who may compromised immune systems – directly outside the facility.
Dispensaries also have been advised to regularly disinfect surfaces touched by patients, keep customers six feet from each other and to separate lines for medical and recreational products.
To help dispensaries further keep patients and customers protected, CBAI has developed a resource packet of guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The materials outline standards for proper handwashing, what items in the dispensary should be cleaned and disinfected regularly, encouraging staff and customers to stay home if they’re sick, and more.
CBAI has encouraged its dispensary members to share the guidance with patients, customers, vendors and employees in their facilities. Some dispensaries are doing their part by limiting sales to medical patients only or limiting hours of recreational sales to ensure medical patients have access to the medicine they need.
CBAI Executive Director Pamela Althoff said these moves are part of a larger, ongoing collaboration between the cannabis industry and Gov. Pritzker’s Administration to ensure patients and customers have a successful, safe and valuable experience.
“For many months now, we have worked closely with the Administration to ensure patients are our first priority, and their health and safety is paramount,” Althoff said.
“These are concerning, uncertain times for everyone in Illinois and around the world as we deal with this pandemic. We appreciate the constant, productive communication with the Governor and his team as we work to meet the extraordinary demand for adult use cannabis product in Illinois and keep providing the precious medical supply to our patients. We will continue to work to keep everyone safe and healthy in our facilities, and to build out our infrastructure and supply to meet the growing demand in Illinois.”
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COVID-19 Guidance to Dispensaries from IDFPR
COVID-19 IDFPR Guidance to Dispensaries
Illinois’ medical cannabis patients may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to pre-existing conditions. As we prepare for the impacts of coronavirus in the weeks ahead, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation (“Division”) is issuing the following guidelines.
Sales to Patients/Caregivers Outside the Limited Access Area
The Division has granted a variance to Section 1290.410(c)(5) of the administrative rules made pursuant to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. The purpose of this Variance is to allow cannabis dispensaries to dispense cannabis outside of the limited access area. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the CDC’s recommendation regarding in-person contact, the Division will allow service to medical cannabis patients, OAPP participants, and designated caregivers outside a limited access area until March 30, 2020, provided dispensaries follow the guidelines issued below. This variance DOES NOT apply to sales to adult use purchasers.
If allowing patients and caregivers to purchase medical cannabis outside the limited access area, dispensaries must adhere to the following protocols:
1. The exchange of cash and product must take place on the dispensary’s property or on a public walkway or at the curb of the street adjacent to the dispensary. Dispensaries may not deliver cannabis to a patient or caregiver’s home.
2. The patient or caregiver’s card must be scanned prior to purchase and the purchase must be tracked in the state traceability system.
3. The dispensary may take measures to protect agents and patients alike by not requiring patients and caregivers to physically hand their medical cannabis ID card to agents to be scanned, wearing gloves when handling cash, and giving employees frequent breaks to wash their hands thoroughly.
4. Cash must be taken into the dispensary after each transaction.
5. Security must be present for outdoor exchanges.
Enforce Social Distancing
The CDC has advised that COVID-19 can be spread between people who are in close contact with one another, which is within about 6 feet.1 In line with this guidance, dispensaries must take steps to ensure patients, caregivers, and purchasers do not come within 6 feet of other patrons at the dispensary and ensure patients and caregivers remain in separate lines from adult use purchasers. Such efforts may include moving lines outside the dispensary, closing down some point-of-sale systems, distancing patient/caregiver lines within larger dispensaries, and minimizing the time a patient/caregiver stands near your agents.
If patients, caregivers, or purchasers are bunching up, the dispensary must intervene to order them to space out.
Sanitary Practices
Dispensaries must be vigilant in their sanitation practices. Dispensaries must allow dispensary agents to wash their hand frequently throughout the day and provide an ample supply of disinfectant hand soap. Any surfaces patients are required to touch, such as ordering tablets or door handles must be disinfected at least every 30 minutes. All other surfaces should be washed throughout the day, including disinfecting at least once per day all countertops, computer screens/keyboards, door handles, railings, and bathrooms.
Dispensaries are advised to post their sanitation protocols to inform patients and caregivers of the measures being taken.
Inspections
Inspectors will be watching cameras daily to ensure continued compliance with our regular laws and rules and the guidance provided in this document. We expect dispensaries to answer inspectors’ calls or call them back promptly, if necessary.
Badging
Badging of new agents will continue as usual.
Renewals and Secondary Site Applications
Renewal application materials may be uploaded to the Division by using the official State of Illinois Government electronic file transfer site at https://filet.illinois.gov/filet/PIMupload.asp.
When submitting a medical dispensary renewal, the “Recipient Email Addresses” must be , and the subject line must include “Registration Renewal for (Dispensary name).” Additional information may be included in the message text box.
When submitting an adult use secondary site application, the “Recipient Email Addresses” must include .
All checks must be mailed to:
Medical Cannabis Unit/Cannabis Control Section
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
100 W. Randolph, 9th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
credit/source: Cannabis Control Section, Division of Professional Regulation, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
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