Medical marijuana has now been available in Illinois for about 18 months. But many around the state, particularly in Southern Illinois, say they can't find a doctor in their area to help them. A few groups have found a way to change that — they're now bringing doctors directly to the patients with qualifying conditions. More than 30 hopeful patients registered for a recent clinic in Shelbyvlle, held by Medical Cannabis Outreach.
A business that works to connect those who qualify for medical marijuana to the product, and proper use of it, will open its first downstate clinic in less than a month. Caprice Sweatt, the founder and CEO of Medical Cannabis Outreach says its Shelbyville location will help those whose doctors still don’t approve of using the drug.
The pilot program currently has about 6,000 patients, not close to what advocates were hoping for at this point. They say there are number of reasons behind that - including the application process, and the state's failure to expand the list of qualifying conditions. Without legislative action, it will expire in January 2018.
Phoenix Farms expects to open its location, called Phoenix Botanicals, at 1704 S. Neil Street sometime in March. It's also hired Medical Cannabis Research, which will conduct a series of free seminars in the area to help patients understand the medical marijuana program. They're scheduled for late January and early February.
