Illinois’ experiment with medical marijuana has gotten a boost thanks to a 3-month pilot program extension by Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The inclusion of PTSD and some terminal illnesses are also part of the legislation the Republican governor signed Thursday.
Illinois' medical marijuana pilot program got its start under former Gov. Pat Quinn and continued under Rauner, who for more than a year resisted expanding the program beyond the original 39 conditions and diseases listed in the law.
Medical marijuana advocates and experts are calling the signing a turning point giving patients guaranteed-access and confidence to those selling and cultivating the drug.
The measure extends the pilot program through July 2020. It also streamlines how doctors approve patients and gives the governor the ability to reappoint members of the Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board.
Illinois law allows people to petition the state to add health conditions to the eligible list, but Rauner's administration has rejected all new conditions despite the advice of an expert panel that reviewed available medical evidence.
Earlier this week, a Cook County judge ordered the state to add post-traumatic stress disorder to the diseases eligible for medical marijuana treatment.
State Representative Lou Lang, the Democrat who has sponsored medical marijuana proposals, says the extension and technical damages are crucial to gauging the program’s success.
