Illinois MMJ Cultivators Now Allowed to Host Reporters

Illinois medical marijuana regulators today lifted an unusual prohibition on media outlets visiting the state’s cultivation facilities, a move growers hope will allow them to better educate patients and the public about their products.

The state’s new medical cannabis director, Jack Campbell, made the announcement in a hastily called conference call with cultivation company representatives, according to Charles Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs, who was on the call. Cresco Labs is a cultivator and processor headquartered in Kankakee, Illinois.

“It’s a very important decision. It will let people see what goes on behind the curtain,” Bachtell said. “We’re the producers, and who better to educate the patients and the public about the product, then the producers?” Bachtell said the decision was effective immediately.

There are still some restrictions, however, on media in the cultivation centers, Bachtell said. The media will not be allowed to show packaged products, or anything having to do with the cultivation sites’ security.