A southeastern Illinois company says it has started growing medical marijuana and may be the first in the state to do so.
Officials at Ataraxia in the Edwards County city of Albion said Monday that they received state authorization July 10 and have started cultivating the genetic strains that will be the basis of their products.
Ataraxia says it will grow cannabis year-round. The company plans to produce oils, edibles and creams in addition to marijuana for smoking and vaporizing.
An Illinois Department of Agriculture spokeswoman says the department has authorized two facilities to begin growing the state's first legal marijuana, but has not said which companies have the go-ahead. The department gives authorization as facilities show they've complied with regulations, the law and their own plans.
