Local Dispensaries Hold 2nd Lake County Cannabis Expo

VERNON HILLS, IL — Medical marijuana dispensaries in Highland Park and Buffalo Grove are sponsoring the second annual Lake County Cannabis Expo this weekend in Vernon Hills. Open to patients, potential patients, medical professionals and anyone else interested in learning about medical cannabis in Illinois, the free event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 175 E. Hawthorne Pkwy. in Vernon Hills.

Speakers include former chair of the Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board, Dr. Leslie Mendoza-Temple; Colin Bond, co-founder of peer support group Operation 1620, which helps veterans move to natural medicine from pharmaceuticals; Melanie Dillon, a clinical alcohol and drug counselor due to discuss how cannabinoids provide an alternative to opiods, and Dr. Fernando Soler, an Arlington Heights-based specialist in internal medicine.

"I have found cannabis to be particularly helpful in patients with chronic and debilitating medical conditions where traditional medicines have often failed to alleviate their symptoms," Soler said in an announcement of the expo. "Cannabis is especially outstanding at treating patients with appetite disorders, seizures, neurological conditions, chronic pain, and post- traumatic stress disorder."

The Sept. 9 Lake County Cannabis Expo will feature a panel of patients and caregivers who will discuss how cannabis has improved their lives, according to an announcement of the expo from Buffalo Grove-based PDI Medical and Elevele, of Highland Park. There will also be marijuana growers showcasing new products and sales and displays of products like oils, glassware and vaping accessories.

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