Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
a) The
curriculum for a responsible vendor program shall include, at a minimum, the
following topics:
1)
Health and safety
concerns of cannabis use, including the responsible use of cannabis, its
physical effects, onset of physiological effects, recognizing signs of
impairment and overconsumption,
and appropriate responses in
the event of overconsumption. (Section 15-40(i)(3)(i) of the Act) This
topic shall specifically include information on the health risks associated
with the use or abuse of cannabis, how cannabis can affect an individual's
health, dosing, the criteria and severity for cannabis use disorder listed in
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition
("DSM-5"), and the contact information for the Illinois Poison Center. The
criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder listed in DSM-5 can be found at
https://thriveworks.com/help-with/addiction/marijuana-addiction-cannabis-use-disorder/
and are also enumerated in this subsection (a)(1). The DSM-5 defines a mild
cannabis use disorder as having the presence of 2-3 of the criteria within the
last twelve months, moderate is 4-5 in the last twelve months, and severe is 6
or more within the last twelve months.
A)
Cannabis is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was
intended.
B) There is a persistent
desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control cannabis use.
C) A great deal of time is spent in
activities necessary to obtain cannabis, use cannabis, or recover from its
effects.
D) Craving, or a strong
desire or urge to use cannabis.
E)
Recurrent cannabis use results in failure to fulfill role obligations at work,
school, or home.
F) Continued
cannabis use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal
problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of cannabis.
G) Important social, occupational, or
recreational activities are given up or reduced because of cannabis
use.
H) Recurrent cannabis use in
situations in which it is physically hazardous.
I) Cannabis use continues despite knowledge
of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is
likely to have been caused or exacerbated by cannabis.
J) Tolerance, as defined by either:
i) a need for markedly increased cannabis to
achieve intoxication or desired effect; or
ii) a markedly diminished effect with
continued use of the same amount of the substance.
K) Withdrawal, as manifested by either:
i) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for
cannabis; or
ii) cannabis is taken
to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
2)
Training on laws and regulations
on driving while under the influence and operating a watercraft or snowmobile
under the influence. (Section 15-40(i)(3)(ii) of the Act) This topic
shall specifically include information on possible penalties for refusing a
chemical test and the level of concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol that can
form the basis for a driving under the influence conviction;
3)
Sales to minors
prohibition. (Section 15-40(i)(3)(iii) of the Act) This topic shall
include penalties levied under Section 10-20 of the Act and Section 6-20 of the
Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934 [235 ILCS 5].
4)
Quantity limits on sales to
purchasers. (Section 15-40(i)(3)(iv) of the Act) This topic shall
include information on the purchasers and patient limits as provided in Section
10-10 of the Act and Section 10(a) of the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis
Program Act [410 ILCS 130];
5)
Acceptable forms of identification. (Section 15-40(i)(3)(v) of
the Act) This topic shall specifically include information on the acceptable
forms of identification for:
A) Verifying age
as provided in Section 10-20(e) of the Act;
B) Verifying residency;
C) The forms of identification that cannot
serve as evidence of the purchaser's state of residence; and
D) Information on the proper methods for
checking an ID.
6)
Safe storage of cannabis, including information about
preventing the accidental consumption by minors by storing cannabis in a locked
place and/or in child resistant containers; (Section 15-40(i)(3)(vi) of the
Act)
7)
Compliance with all
inventory tracking system regulations. (Section 15-40(i)(3)(vii)) This
topic shall include information regarding the requirements of Section 15-75 of
the Act and shall explain the difference between the State Verification System
and any commercial inventory system a dispensing organization may use to track
inventory. Additionally, this topic must highlight the importance of verifying
the physical inventory in the dispensary against the inventory reported in the
State Verification System;
8)
Waste handling, management, and disposal. (Section
15-40(i)(3)(viii) of the Act) This topic shall include information on the
proper disposal and destruction of cannabis waste in accordance with Section
15-90 of the Act;
9)
Health
and safety standards. (Section 15-40(i)(3)(ix) of the Act) This topic
shall include information including, but not limited to, the following: safe
and healthy working conditions for employees including worker rights and
protections guidance issued by the Occupation Safety and Health Administration,
and health and safety guidelines issued by the Illinois Department of Public
Health and local health departments. It shall also include information
regarding any specific cannabis-related public health and safety standards,
guidelines, mandates, or orders that may be in place at the time of the
training;
10)
Security
surveillance requirements. (Section 15-40(i)(3)(xi) of the Act) This
topic shall specifically include information on where surveillance cameras
should be located in a dispensary to ensure that all required areas are covered
and where cameras are prohibited by law (e.g., bathrooms and locker rooms).
Additionally, this topic shall include information regarding the Department's
and Illinois State Police's (ISP's) ability to access all surveillance cameras
remotely and at any time, and that all recordings must be saved for a period of
a least 90 calendar days;
11)
Permitting inspections by State and local licensing and enforcement
authorities. (Section 15-40(i)(3)(xii) of the Act) This topic shall
specifically include instruction on allowing inspections by the Department,
ISP, and local law enforcement officials, and the best practices for verifying
with the relevant agencies that those individuals are authorized to inspect the
dispensary;
12) Purchaser privacy.
This topic shall specifically include instruction on HIPAA protections for
medical cannabis patients, the prohibition on collecting an adult use
purchaser's personal information without the purchaser's consent, and
maintaining a purchaser's confidentiality; and
13) Packaging and labeling requirements. This
topic shall include the packaging and labeling information provided in Section
55-21 o the Act and 8 Ill. Adm. Code
1000.420 or their successor
provisions.
b) Providers
have a continuing obligation after they are approved to update their curriculum
within 30 calendar days of the effective date of any amendment to the Act or
this Part that alters the accuracy of their curriculum. Any updates to the
curriculum shall be submitted to the Department for approval before the
provider includes the amended curriculum in its course.
c) After a provider has been approved, it may
update its curriculum to reflect changes in the industry, scientific knowledge,
or for any other reason. Any updates to the curriculum must be submitted to the
Department for approval before the provider includes the amended curriculum in
its course.
d) Failure to submit
any updated materials, as required in subsections (b) and (c), may result in
the Department rescinding its approval of the provider.