News Local/State

Adding Patients To Pilot Program Now Relies Largely On Courts

by Jeff Bossert
 
In this Sept. 15, 2015 file photo, lead grower Dave Wilson care for marijuana plants in the "Flower Room" at the Ataraxia medical marijuana center in Albion, IL.

In this Sept. 15, 2015 file photo, lead grower Dave Wilson care for marijuana plants in the "Flower Room" at the Ataraxia medical marijuana center in Albion, IL. Seth Perlman/Associated Press

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Three months ago, Governor Bruce Rauner signed a measure extending the state’s medical marijuana pilot program from January of 2018 to July 2020. But as a condition of that extension, Illinois' Public Health Director has now been granted sole discretion over adding additional conditions. Chicago Tribune Reporter Robert McCoppin recently looked at the potential for future growth of the pilot program with the new restrictions in place. 

The extension of the program did allow for the additions of two conditions, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Terminal Illness.

None have been added since, although seven others have become the subject of lawsuits.

Now, Public Health Director Nirav Shah will "consult with Department staff to analyze the clinical and scientific merit of the petitions," leaving virtually no power to the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board, which is to be re-constituted under the extension.

McCoppin talked with Illinois Public Media’s Jeff Bossert on how current efforts to add conditions are tied to a series of lawsuits.