



by BRIAN NADIG

The state Department of Financial and Professional Regulation recently gave the green light for the opening of medical marijuana dispensaries near the Milwaukee-Lawrence and Milwaukee-Devon intersections, although city has not approved one of the locations.

Curative Health plans to open inside a former mortgage office at 4758 N. Milwaukee Ave. in the 45th Ward, while Union Group of Illinois is seeking to open inside a former medical supply shop at 6428 N. Milwaukee Ave. in the 41st Ward. The Zoning Board of Appeals has issued the required special use permit for Curative’s location but has not held a hearing on Union’s proposal.

The department last week released a hold on Curative’s application, and both companies will be going through a formal licensing process. State law allows for no more than two dispensaries in Jefferson Township, which includes the Northwest Side and extends as far east as Western Avenue and as far south as North Avenue.

Dispensaries are allowed to sell marijuana, drug paraphernalia and educational materials only to registered patients. About half-dozen applications for the township were filed.



