Rolling Meadows marijuana dispensary hosting open house Jan. 19

Community members curious what the inside of a medical marijuana dispensary looks like will get a chance next week to peek inside Nature's Care, a new facility set to open soon in Rolling Meadows.

An open house will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the dispensary, 975 Rohlwing Road, said Mitch Meyers, a partner with the company.

Meyers said state officials will make a walk-through late next week and the dispensary could get its occupancy permit anytime after that. Once that occurs, only patients with a state-approved license can enter the facility. She said the dispensary is expected to be open for business by Feb. 1.

"For people who live in the community this will be their only chance, unless they are a patient, to see the inside," Meyers said. "We want to give the community a sense of ease about what's going on in there."

Nature's Care originally applied to operate in Palatine, and although the state approved their application, the village rejected it. After that, the company shifted its focus to Rolling Meadows, which granted it approval.

Visitors will be invited to tour the entire facility, including the dispensing area where patients will be counseled and get their medication, as well as view the security measures where the product is kept in a vault.

"I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised at the welcoming nature and the comforting feel you get at these places and to know that there is a lot of counseling that goes on before selling someone cannabis," she said.

Meyers said that under state law dispensaries cannot display marijuana in cases all around the store, as people might see at a shop in Colorado or California, which reduces the possibility of a "smash-and-grab" robbery.

"We want everyone who works or lives in the area to come see it, understand how it works and how this will benefit the patients," she said.