Oak Park, Ill. – (June 29, 2018) – PRESS RELEASE – This week, a bipartisan group of state and local elected officials joined patients and representatives from PharmaCann LLC, a leading national medical cannabis provider, to voice their support for Illinois’ medical cannabis program. The group was gathered to celebrate the opening of PharmaCann’s newest, largest and most sophisticated dispensary.
Relocated from Schaumburg to Arlington Heights under a new retail brand, Verilife, the dispensary is a welcoming environment for patients, caregivers and people considering medical cannabis. For the first time in Illinois, guests can view the patient dispensing area—regardless of whether or not they hold an Illinois Medical Marijuana Card—from the dispensary’s reception area. Other features include private patient consultation rooms and a new fast-track ordering system. Measures taken to increase this dispensary’s visibility and offer patients a more accessible space show Verilife’s commitment to improving and normalizing the medical cannabis patient experience.
“There’s no question stigma discourages some people from entering a dispensary,” said Teddy Scott, Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer of PharmaCann. “With our new flagship Arlington Heights location, we’re changing the way people see dispensaries. Its interior visibility and open-concept design emphasizes that medical cannabis is a legitimate and important medical option for patients.”
Guests Maureen and Jim Surin said since becoming a Verilife patient, their daughter’s debilitating seizures have nearly stopped. Ashley Surin is the namesake of landmark legislation, awaiting action from Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, to allow students with qualifying conditions to be administered medical cannabis on school premises. For the Surin family, the dispensary’s inviting open-concept design and caring staff ease what can otherwise be a stressful experience.
“Everyone is very warm and welcoming and I’ve had only pleasant experiences here. I’m thrilled that we’re part of this Verilife family,” said Maureen Surin. “It’s changed Ashley’s life. It’s given her life back, and I feel like when I come here, I’m coming to the place that’s giving her a cure.”
Notable speakers included Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), Democratic sponsor of SB 336, the opioid alternative pilot program; Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago 13th), candidate for Illinois Attorney General; and Cook County Commissioner Timothy Schneider, chair of the Illinois State Republican Party, who, after hearing the Surins’ story, said he would ask Gov. Rauner to sign Ashley’s Law, as well as the Harmon-sponsored SB 336 aimed at reducing reliance on opioids and instead prescribing medical cannabis for certain patients with chronic-pain.
The Arlington Heights location is the company’s first dispensary in Illinois opened under the new Verilife name. From the Latin root veri, meaning “truth,” Verilife reflects the company’s commitment to be truthful and transparent in everything it does to improve people’s well-being and help them live their best lives. PharmaCann’s three additional Illinois dispensaries in Evanston, North Aurora and Ottawa will soon convert to Verilife.
Top photo courtesy of PharmaCann
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