CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois medical marijuana shops had their best month yet in February with nearly $1.5 million in sales, bringing total retail sales to more than $4.4 million since the program began Nov. 9.

Program director Joseph Wright announced Tuesday that registered dispensaries served 3,042 unique patients during February. Two new dispensaries joined the program last month, raising the total to 29 shops as of Monday.

Wright says approximately 4,800 Illinois patients now qualify for the program.

Marijuana wholesalers pay a 7 percent tax to the state. Wholesale sales reported Tuesday indicate growers paid roughly $83,000 in taxes on sales for February.

Concentrates and edibles became more available, contributing more than $362,000 to total February sales.