Illinois

Illinois Medical Marijuana Pilot Program Extended to 2020

Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) and terminal illnesses were added to the list of qualifying medical conditions that can be treated as part of the program

Rep. Lou Lang announced an agreement with Gov. Bruce Rauner Friday to extend the state’s medical marijuana pilot program to 2020.

"Governor Rauner and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin deserve credit for their willingness and commitment to reform and extend Illinois' medical marijuana program,” Lang said in a statement. “I want to thank them for their cooperation to find a bi-partisan legislative compromise on improving a program designed to ease the pain and suffering of seriously ill individuals, including children."

A variety of changes were made to the program.

Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) and terminal illnesses were added to the list of qualifying medical conditions that can be treated as part of the program.

Patient and caregiver ID cards will now be valid for three years, instead of one. Fingerprinting will also not be required to renew those cards.

Under the new agreement, doctors will no longer be required to recommend cannabis. Instead, they will certify their relationship with a patient and confirm a qualifying condition.

Minors who are part of the program will also be allowed two caregivers under the new plan.

The Medical Cannabis Advisory Board will also be reconstituted. Additionally, a new procedure will be created to accept patient petitions for new conditions to be added to the program.

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