ROCKFORD — Robert Zais, 65, of Rockford arrived on Friday about an hour and a half before Mapleglen Care Center opened its doors at noon for marijuana sales to recreational users.

He emerged within about 10 minutes with $180 worth of product.

Zais, who was seventh of 52 people in line when recreational sales started at noon at Mapleglen, mostly bought the highly sought after cannabis flower, which has been in short supply in recent weeks across the state since Illinois made it legal on Jan. 1 for those age 21 and older to use cannabis.

Zais and Steve Rasmussen, 60, of Monroe Center said they had considered buying marijuana at Sunnyside Dispensary — the only other dispensary in Rockford — on the first day of the year and days after but were discouraged by long lines. Mapleglen has been offering cannabis since 2015 to those who have medical marijuana cards, as has Sunnyside, but Mapleglen delayed opening for recreational users.

Medical marijuana cardholders were able to buy products at Mapleglen before the doors opened for recreational users on Friday, and much of the cannabis flower Mapleglen is able to get from cultivators is being reserved for them.

Rasmussen was there to buy mostly edible marijuana products. He said because he is retired, he would have "all day" to adjust to its effects. Edible marijuana products can take hours to kick in, whereas the effects of smoking cannabis can be felt within minutes.

Georgette Braun: 815-987-1331; gbraun@rrstar.com; @GeorgetteBraun