Context

Northern Public Radio is pleased to present Context, a live, in-person program designed to provide listeners with connections to the world in which they live.Every Context is different, and both the location and structure of the event are determined by the topic. It might be a panel discussion with a moderator at Studio A in DeKalb, a demonstration and instructional presentation at Kresge Hall in the Riverfront Museum Park in Rockford, or an interactive forum held at a restaurant in our listening area.Please listen for the next Context date, topic and location and join us in-person at the event. Find out more below, including information on past Context events.WATCH CONTEXT LIVE ONLINE OR ON YOUR PHONE VIA PERISCOPETwitter's Periscope app lets you watch, comment and "like" live video broadcasts from accounts you follow, like @WNIJNews. The Periscope app is available from iTunes and Google Play. Download the app to your phone or tablet and follow @WNIJNews. When the broadcast goes live, you will receive a notification.We will also tweet a link to the live broadcast. Our Twitter followers can watch us via the internet or the Periscope app. Call Maria Boynton, Director of Community Engagement, for more information at (314) 680-0188.

WNIJ Presents "Context: Medical Marijuana And Illinois," A Public Forum on Medical Cannabis

Northern Public Radio | By Maria Boynton

Published June 11, 2015 at 9:59 AM CDT

Thursday, June 25, 2015, at 7 p.m.

This "Context" public affairs event takes a closer look at Illinois' medical cannabis pilot program approved by state lawmakers.

There have been a few delays getting the project started, and tens of thousands of patients who’ve qualified for medical marijuana cards are waiting to get their prescriptions filled. However, before that happens, there are some regulatory hurdles marijuana growers and dispensaries have to cross before the drug can be sold in Illinois. Learn more about the “debilitating” diseases that qualify for marijuana treatment, grow centers, dispensaries, and the legal rights protecting patients.

Four experts in the field brought us up to date on the program and answered questions on June 25 at 7 p.m. in Studio A, in the Northern Public Radio studios in the NIU Broadcast Center, 801 N. First Street in DeKalb.

The guest panelists included:

Dan Linn: Executive Director, Illinois chapter of National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws, NORML. The non-profit organization works on industrial hemp farming, medical cannabis, and full legalization. He is also the Director of Government & Public Relations with the Illinois Medical Cannabis Association.

Bradley Vallerius: An Illinois attorney and author of the book: “Illinois Medical Marijuana Law, A Practical Guide For Everyone.” Vallerius works for Revolution Enterprises, which manages two of the medical marijuana cultivation center licenses in Illinois.

PharmaCann LLC: A representative with the Oak Park-based medical marijuana cultivation company. It was awarded a license this March by state regulators to open two grow centers and four dispensaries in northern Illinois, more than any other business in the state.

“Tom”: A local patient who has qualified for a medical cannabis card.

"Context: Medical Marijuana and Illinois" was a free event and open to the public. Although reservations for our "Context" events are not required, they are encouraged due to the limited space available. If you have questions or would like to guarantee yourself a seat for the next "Context" event, please call Maria Boynton at (815) 753-9000 or email mboynton@niu.edu. For more information, visit northernpublicradio.org.

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