DePaul's chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) hosted the Kush Expo on Monday, June 3rd between 3 p.m and 9 p.m. The expo, which was held in the Lincoln Park Campus Cortelyou Commons, occurred just days after Governor J.B. Pritzker approved the legalization of marijuana in Illinois. Students were encouraged to visit the expo, listen to representatives from dispensaries speak, make crafts, and enjoy lunch.

A DePaul student participates in arts and crafts at the expo.Photo by Ava O'Malley

"We've been planning on hosting this event for a few months now," Says SSDP DePaul's event coordinator, senior Kendall Angeletti. "We were planning on hosting it whether or not the bill was passed."

Angeletti says that the event's original goal was to push for legalization of marijuana. This goal changed to spreading awareness about marijuana since the bill was approved. SSDP DePaul reached out to every dispensary in Chicago while planning the expo.

Nine companies partnered with SSDP DePaul for the expo. One of these partners is medicinal dispensary Mission, located on the South Side of Chicago. Mission's goal is to help spread awareness on medical marijuana, as well as help people find out if they qualify for treatment.

"So many people are unaware of their eligibility," Luis Vargas, a representative for Mission says. "As long as you are verified by a doctor for one of these conditions, you are eligible to obtain medical cannabis at Mission."

Mission representative Luis Vargas poses by stand. Photo by Ava O'Malley

The list of conditions that can be treated with medical cannabis is extensive. Now that the bill for legalization has been passed, Illinois residents over the age of 18 suffering with chronic diseases like AIDS, Cancer, Muscular Dystrophy, and Parkinson's can opt for natural medicine, according to Mission's brochure. Medical marijuana is not reserved for those with such extreme diseases, as it can also be prescribed for those facing minor conditions such as frequent migraines or insomnia.

Expo guests listen to a representative.Photo by Ava O'Malley

"Now that marijuana is legal in Illinois," says Angeletti, "SSDP wants to focus on improving the bill and make it even better for Illinois citizens."