Update 10/15/15: These conditions have not yet been approved by the state health department — we have edited the article and apologize for the confusion/misunderstanding.
Illinois’ medical cannabis program is heating up! The Medical Cannabis Advisory Board recommended eight new qualifying conditions for its medical marijuana program, a relief for possible medical patients after 11 suggested qualifying conditions were rejected by Governor Bruce Rauner last month. The new conditions are currently awaiting review by the state health department.
If approved, the new qualifying conditions that would be added to the existing 39 conditions are:
- Chronic pain due to trauma
- Chronic pain syndrome
- Chronic post-operative pain
- Intractable pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Autism
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Illinois could very well become the first state ever to add autism as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. It has only recently come to light that cannabis may have a remarkable effect on those with autism, particularly on children struggling with motor skills and coordination. Much of the evidence has come in the form of anecdotes from families whose lives have been changed by the administration of cannabis oil, but there have been few formal scientific studies.>
The Illinois Department of Public Health also announced that they have approved 3,100 new patients to be a part of the state’s burgeoning medical marijuana program. The recently approved patients also included 16 children. In order for children to qualify for the program, they must have written certification from two doctors, while adults only need one.
Illinois dispensaries have been growing like mad, with four companies already licensed. The next step in the process will be dispensaries sending their product in for testing, and pending approval, they'll make their way onto shelves and ready for patients.
The four companies that have been licensed and will be opening soon are:
