In September 2016, Illinois medical marijuana sales figures bring the total retail sales in Illinois to $23.5 million since purchasing began in November last year. Pictured: An employee collects money while holding packages of marijuana at Top Shelf Cannabis in Bellingham, Washington, on July 8, 2014, the first day of recreational sales in the state. (David Ryder, Getty Images file)

Illinois medical marijuana sales top $20M since program began in 2015

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By The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois medical marijuana sales reached more than $3.8 million last month at licensed dispensaries throughout the state.

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The state released new monthly sales figures Wednesday. September’s sales figures bring the total retail sales in Illinois to $23.5 million since purchasing began in November last year, topping the $20 million mark for the first time.

The program now includes 11,100 patients with state approval to buy marijuana legally. Eighty-five of those patients are children and teenagers. The number of dispensaries continues to grow, too, with 44 now licensed to sell medical marijuana.

Meanwhile, seven lawsuits have been filed by Illinois patients who want their medical conditions added to the list of qualifying conditions and are working their way through the courts. The cases could expand the number of patients eligible for the program.