People who buy medical marijuana in Illinois might find out it's cash-only.
Lawmakers approved using cannabis for medical conditions last summer. But the Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports selling and using marijuana remain federal offenses, so it's unlikely pot dispensaries will be able to open a bank account or get a line of credit.
Taylor West is deputy of the National Cannabis Industry Association in Washington. He says it becomes a question of public safety because dispensaries have to have cash on hand to pay bills, manage payroll and pay taxes.
Democratic Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie sponsored the marijuana legislation. He says 20 other states that have legalized marijuana use have managed without federal approval _ Illinois can too.
