Pubdate: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 Source: Illinois Times (IL) Copyright: 2009 Yesse Communications Contact: http://www.illinoistimes.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/206 Author: Simon Franzmann MEDICAL MARIJUANA Supporters of the legalization of medical cannabis are supporting creation of small businesses known as Medical Cannabis Organizations (MCO) that will be able to keep this medicine safe, process the active ingredient, educate those who need it, and offer a variety of other services. These businesses may become as regulated as pharmacies. Unfortunately, I'm sure there are some pharmacists who give out prescription pills to people without prescriptions. I don't know what the repercussions are for this but I would assume that there is a zero tolerance for that just as there is zero tolerance for places that sell pot for any reason to those without a certificate. "Joe the pothead" can't just open an MCO if he feels like it that day. He has to fill out a ton of paperwork, be subjected to a background check, buy growing equipment and security supplies and shell out $5,000 just to start. Simon Franzmann Aurora