Illinois medical marijuana sales start Monday

CHICAGO —

Illinois officials say patients will be able to buy medical marijuana legally for the first time Monday.

The state’s medical cannabis program director Joseph Wright told The Associated Press on Friday that eight dispensaries are authorized to start selling Monday. An official announcement is expected later Friday afternoon.

Wright predicts there will be a dozen dispensaries by the end of the month and up to 25 by the end of the year.

Illinois started mailing 3,300 patients their official program ID cards last week….