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Governing ain’t easy

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* You spent a fortune to win the big chair. And now it’s time to make a freaking decision already

Some who suffer from illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, migraines and irritable bowel syndrome have been eagerly waiting to find out if they’ll be able to use medical marijuana.

But the Rauner administration hasn’t yet announced its decision on recommendations by a state panel to add 11 conditions to the medical marijuana program.

The decision was supposed to be made in August after a board recommended in May to allow the conditions to be added to the limited list.

“The recommendations by the state’s Medical Cannabis Board remain under review,” a spokeswoman for Gov. Bruce Rauner said.

She declined to comment on when the administration will announce its decision.

State law gave the governor until the end of August to decide. It’s time to govern.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:22 am

Comments

  1. He’s holding out for collective bargaining right reductions.

    Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:24 am

  2. ==It’s time to govern.== On this topic, yep.

    Comment by phocion Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:24 am

  3. Note to Gov. Rauner;

    Winning the election… wasn’t a “Finish Line” to the job.

    Winning… triggered the beginning of the actual work.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:25 am

  4. I give OW a harrumph. He should now move on to the real work.

    Comment by Boat captain Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:29 am

  5. “But, but, Madigan!”

    Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:30 am

  6. Oooops.

    The Governot.

    Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:34 am

  7. BR is just Blago with more money and less hair

    Comment by Wow Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:34 am

  8. It’s a big job, things you gotta do trump those you wanna do.

    Who’s in charge, anyway? COO, chief of staff, deputy governors? Have they figured out a chain of command or is every superstar equal?

    Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:41 am

  9. I too give OW a harrumph. (Hat tip to Boat Captain)

    Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:43 am

  10. “Let the courts decide! It worked with paychecks!”

    Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:46 am

  11. Rauner does not have to work, he has the money to pay someone else to do the governor’s job.

    Comment by Mama Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:50 am

  12. Reminds me of the movie “The Candidate”. Robert Redford wins the Governors race and the last thing he asks Peter Boyle (his campaign manager) at the end of the movie is what now?

    Comment by Stones Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:56 am

  13. Word, here is what Rauner staff is doing according to the Little Birdie Reporting Service.

    - The COO is busy at the Du Quoin State Fair helping with parking.

    - The COS is tracking down another painting that was once seen hanging in the JRTC 16th Floor Office of the Governor.

    - The Deputy Governor is sweeping the Capitol Office for recording devices while mumbling that Rich Miller has got to be listening in to know so much about what we’re doing.

    - The Chief Counsel is busily contriving new reasons that the world will come to an end if the union arbitration veto is overridden.

    - Goldberg is working with a team of comedy writers to come up with another snarky letter to Bradley.

    - Tim Nuding has been seen making motions as if he was trying to pull his hair out, if he had any, trying to figure out all the spending being done by court, approp, consent decree and via promises that you’ll get paid sometime in the future.

    Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:04 am

  14. Governor “Please, call me ‘Bruce’…I work for YOU” Rauner convened a group of Mayors, County Board Chairs, etc. (no press, closed doors) earlier this year to explain how his turnaround agenda would fix everything. When I inquired as to why he was not seeking revenue he had this to say…

    “We don’t need revenue. We have plenty of money, we just need to cut out the waste. Listen, if I were King, there would be no marijuana, medical or otherwise. I think it is bad for families. Same with gambling. Other than that, I’m a libertarian. But, no, I am not concerned at all with medical marijuana and I’m not going to think about it until (picks up “turnaround agenda” talking points sheet we were handed) I get this.”

    Comment by Hon. Don Gerard Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:06 am

  15. Medical Marijuana Program = MMJ Program = MJM Program = Madigan Program!!!

    WAKE UP SHEEEPLES!!1!

    – MrJM

    Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:07 am

  16. I had a chance to meet the Gov when he used my daughter’s school as a backdrop shortly after he took office. I took the chance to tell him how important getting this program up and running is to those who need access to medicine and he (and his policy guru) were immediately dismissive of the notion of urgency and blamed Quinn for any problems.

    This whole program has been a mess that no one actually wanted to work. And now Lang has a position from which to kill any other marijuana related changes to the law until this plays out. With a willing partner like Rauner to stretch this out and not ever actually do anything, Illinois won’t make any real changes to MJ access until the Feds legalize recreational. The whole thing makes me sick.

    Comment by Colossus Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:07 am

  17. “irritable bowel syndrome”

    Following Illinois politics has been real stressful and has given me a chronic ailment. My innards are rumblin’. C’mon Rauner, approve this already.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:08 am

  18. Speaker Madigan and the medical marijuana applicants he controls…

    Comment by Tournaround Agenda Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:09 am

  19. === “The recommendations by the state’s Medical Cannabis Board remain under review,” ===

    Perhaps someone should ask the Chief of the Medical Cannabis division, Laura Oberdorf, and ask her

    “Under review by whom?”

    All nine of the board members were appointed by Rauner, and seven of the nine are licensed medical professionals.

    If Rauner knows medical profesionals that have greater expertise, there are still vacancies on the board.

    But if he is not consulting with medical professionals, I think it is fair to ask whom he is consulting with.

    Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:15 am

  20. Bruce Rauner doesn’t govern, he destroys government and then believes magic happens and everyone is happy ever after.

    Fact is - if Bruce Rauner used pot, he would discover the source of his ideas on governing and his paranoia over Madigan, unions and dependent citizens.

    Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:19 am

  21. The governor has succeeded at everything he has done. Always a winner. Governin’ is what he does on mondays. Monday mornings to be exact. That clears the rest of the week for warfare. Oops, i meant campaignin’.

    Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:21 am

  22. colossus, sadly, has it right. if Illinois was serious about this we’d have gone straight to legalization instead of playing these semantic games. four states plus the nation’s capitol have already done so and the sky didn’t fall.

    Comment by Homer J. Quinn Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:22 am

  23. It’s taking too long, but it will get there.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:25 am

  24. Some thought the handle TeamBungle was dropped on this group without serious study…hah
    No lottery cash…$1k purses at the fair races…drip drip drip..bunglespalozza
    And we thought the Blagoof motto “we don’t know and we don’t care” was fitting. This crew doesn’t even check to see what they should know

    Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:34 am

  25. - Norseman -,

    I laugh every time when you give that “lil birdie news service” it’s proper due. Great stuff there.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 9:37 am

  26. No Pot until all pot users agree to my turnip agenda.

    Comment by D.P.Gumby Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:04 am

  27. He doesn’t agree with marijuana use or gambling….hmmmm shades of the Kentucky clerk.

    Comment by Flynn's Mom Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:13 am

  28. So the Governor that pushed along the extended dawdling and dilly-dallying of the prior administration to establish this program gets vilified for taking a few weeks to look at 11 recommended changes?

    Sheesh!

    Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:49 am

  29. Rauner it turning into the Ray Guy of kicking the can down the road in a state filled that’s been filled with a lot of Reggie Roby’s.

    Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 10:50 am

  30. Dale, your Ray Guy/Reggie Roby analogy was certainly the most unexpected in some time, lol.

    It did remind me, however, of the 1984 Bears/Raiders game, the most violent football game I’ve ever seen.

    Ray Guy refused to enter the game for the Raiders as the emergency QB. Smart man.

    The Raiders were the defending Super Bowl champs and the baddest men on the planet, but the young Bears put the wood to them 17-6 at Soldier Field and shocked the NFL.

    Look it up. It was something.

    Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:08 am

  31. The main problem besides Rauner holding the conditions hostage, is that we made no penalties if the director didn’t act by 180 days. That day was last Wednesday, August 26th. We have a dedicated and professional medical advisory board that made sound recommendations to the IDPH director. The patients did their job, the board did their job and I suspect the director has too. I was told by his office HE was now reviewing the conditions. I find that rather disturbing. He is not a medical professional and that is not what the language of the law states.

    So two things have been dismissed in the law, the timing and allowing the IDPH director to do his job. Governor Rauner or his staff, if you are reading this…stop holding patients conditions hostage. They cannot apply for the program without approval. The board will soon be reviewing the next set of petitions. Enough is enough, patients are sick and it’s excruciating for us advocates to watch them be dangled like a toy. Release the conditions stat.

    Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:12 am

  32. Word… thanks, had to dig deep for that one.

    Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:27 am

  33. Word, you know I love you. But could you please refrain from using the tr-word until it is less fraught with anxiety. I have so much on my plate right now…

    Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:35 am

  34. No time to govern until turnaround agenda is passed, e.g. busting public employee unions, getting rid of prevailing wages, letting municipalities declare bankruptcy, reducing pensions of public workers etc.

    Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:36 am

  35. === gets vilified for taking a few weeks to look at 11 recommended changes?====

    Advisory Board approved conditions in May, sick people are expecting a decision and the Gov. is holding up that decision. Let the doctors on Advisory do the job they were appointed to and the Governor can focus on governin’. 11 more conditions is a small bone to throw the folks investing tens of millions on the cultivation centers and creating 100s of jobs!

    Comment by frisbee Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:40 am

  36. Enough is enough, patients are sick and it’s excruciating for us advocates to watch them be dangled like a toy.- Anonymous

    Thanks for your advocacy…if it’s excruciating to watch patients suffer… needlessly…imagine how the patients feel?…You can not…unless you are the patient suffering from conditions that can be treated quite effectively with medicinal cannabis therapy.

    Humans have co-evolved with cannabis for thousands of recorded years.

    Cannabis is a wonder medicine.

    I hope and pray no one needs any medicine and enjoys perfect health from cradle to grave…good luck!

    …but…if you are mortal and subject to disease or injury I hope the only medicine that treats your painful condition is legal…when it’s your turn…and please bear in mind …Each of us takes his turn.

    Comment by Anonymous Redux Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 11:42 am

  37. ~~Thanks for your advocacy…if it’s excruciating to watch patients suffer… needlessly…imagine how the patients feel?~~Anonymous Redux

    Well said. I forgot to add my name earlier. My husband Jim is on that advisory board and is a patient as well. God bless, hope we hear something soon. :)

    Comment by Sandy Champion Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 12:12 pm

  38. ==1984 Bears/Raiders game===

    Marc Wilson had to come out of the locker room and back into the game after being shellacked. He was definitely in no shape to play. He was a tough, tough guy.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 12:55 pm

  39. I’m in support of medicinal marihuana, and if he’s holding out for some politic end - considering these listed conditions - is quite petty to say the least.

    Comment by Levois Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 2:30 pm

  40. When do our program start for ILLINOIS people have spent money they didn’t have to invest in something that wpuld benefits there heath..Mr.Mayor and Mr.president what Happened to our Medical Cannabis Despencery

    Comment by tiredofbeingsickandtired Thursday, Sep 3, 15 @ 6:32 pm

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