* Tina…
* Earlier today in the Tribune…
A measure that could dramatically expand access to medical marijuana in Illinois — making it available as an opioid painkiller replacement and easing the application process for all who qualify — is expected to become law on Tuesday.
The measure is a response to the epidemic of overdose deaths from narcotics, which killed almost 2,000 people in the state in 2016 and an estimated 72,000 people nationwide last year. It would allow doctors to authorize medical marijuana for any patient who has or would qualify for a prescription for opioids like OxyContin, Percocet or Vicodin.
But the measure is also noteworthy for removing some of the major restrictions on the medical marijuana program in Illinois.
No longer will any applicants have to be fingerprinted and undergo criminal background checks. And those who complete an online application with a doctor’s authorization will get a provisional registration to buy medical cannabis while they wait for state officials to make a final review of their request.
Kudos. This is an important bill.
* The Pritzker campaign, however, takes us through some Rauner history…
Mid 2018: Rauner refused to take a position on SB 336 and let it sit on his desk for almost two months despite its immediate effective date.
Early 2018: Rauner’s IDPH fought a court ruling requiring Illinois to include chronic pain in medical marijuana, even though a judge called their argument “clearly erroneous.”
Late 2017: One week after unveiling his opioid task force, Rauner announced he would slash funding to a critical behavioral health and substance abuse facility.
Early 2017: Rauner reportedly disbanded the state’s Medical Cannabis Advisory Board in exchange for adding two new conditions to the list of qualifying conditions.
Mid 2016: After a judge ordered the state to add PTSD to the medical marijuana program, Rauner signed legislation to comply after holding out for a year.
Early 2016: Rauner again refused to add eight conditions to the state’s medical marijuana program for the second time in five months. A military veteran told AP, “I’m flabbergasted…I think (Rauner) is intentionally stalling the program. … He’s putting politics before people.”
Late 2015: Rauner vetoed a bill to add a dozen conditions to and extend the state’s medical marijuana program.
Late 2015: Rauner vetoed the Heroin Crisis Act, calling funding for opioid treatment “a very costly mandate.” The legislature overrode Rauner’s veto, allowing police to have access to Narcan, a lifesaving drug that resulted in more than 11,000 overdose reversals since 2010.
“From vetoing the Heroin Crisis Act to stalling the state’s medical marijuana program, Bruce Rauner has been a repeated obstacle to solving our state’s opioid epidemic,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Lives have been on the line while this failed governor has ignored this epidemic for years, and no last-minute photo-op can change that.”
There’s an old saying that goes something like: When a politician changes positions away from you, he’s a flip-flopper. When he changes positions toward you, he’s a statesman.
Today, Rauner’s a statesman.
…Adding… He’s evolving slowly…
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:03 pm:
Progress. This is a serious issue and I am glad the governor moved a little on this one.
- the Patriot - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:04 pm:
Everyone is using the opioid crises for political gain. the State is the biggest purchaser of scripts through medicaid and with much less over sight than private insurance. Tighten the rules for medicaid paying for opioids and you can put take a fair chunk out of the crises.
But then you make a lot of people mad and no political gain. Who wants that.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:06 pm:
I never imagined saying the words, “Thank you Governor Rauner”…but I just did.
- Albany Park Patriot - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:14 pm:
He’s a vulture capital guy who had an office in the Sears Tower. Something tells me he MIGHT have been around drugs before.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:21 pm:
It’s beyond very wrong to make light or make fun of those in serious pain, who need to take meds like opioids, so I sincerely hope I don’t offend people. That’s not my intention in this post, at all.
But owwww. Owwwwww, man. I’m hurting. I need some pain relief. Time to get my MMJ card, man.
Congrats to all who made this happen. It’s way past time to get out of the mindset that marijuana is worse than opioids and thus limited to treating symptoms of dread diseases and treated quasi-criminally.
- Illinois Resident - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:22 pm:
Great and all but let’s be real. Recreational cannabis will be passed next year. We don’t need a doctors opinion then. It’s called freedom.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:25 pm:
–“It’s clear that medical marijuana treats pain more effectively,” Rauner says. But says he still opposes legalizing medical marijuana.–
Huh?
- A guy - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:29 pm:
JB would be better keeping his mouth closed on this one and just celebrating that we’ve gotten here.
You can go after Rauner for a zillion things. Praise him on this one.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:33 pm:
Per the last report on the IDPH website (2016),there were a little over 4,000 certified patients. With the current rate of 60% approval, this bill means that potentially there will be 12,480-18,720 more cannabis licensed patients permitted per year. This bill will triple or quadruple medical marijuana usage.
- Illinois Resident - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:36 pm:
Grandson of Man - I hear you. Recreational cannabis will be here soon. Anyone who is not ignorant understands that cannabis should never have been made illegal.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:38 pm:
Thank you word, I thought it was just me.
Albany Park, stereotype much?
- Illinois Resident - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:40 pm:
A guy - Have to disagree with you. Rauner has been no friend to the cannabis movement. Way too little, way too late. Anxiety and depression should be qualified conditions. But like I said it won’t matter, it will be legal on a recreational basis soon.
- AnonAnon - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:42 pm:
A very surprising decision, but I am very glad he did it. My question is … Why not just add chronic pain to the list of approved conditions? We shall see how this new program works out.
- A Jack - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:52 pm:
Making it easier to get the card will certainly help. I know a few people who stayed with the black market because the card was so difficult to obtain.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:55 pm:
“Today, Rauner’s a statesman.”
Huh
OK it took less than three years. The cover-up of the Qunincy vets’ death was more than 3 years.
Looks like the GovJunk campaign Heimlich’s come every day. Much too little much too late.
Looks like we are in openin’ round on his chemical plant scandal. Maybe GovJunk can go tell the neighbors how they can be OK if they just breath his government monitoring rather the air.
Exit Interview Tour continues
- frisbee - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 3:07 pm:
Dan Bigg would be happy, may he rest in peace.
- BlueDogDem - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 4:35 pm:
This governor,and many others,really,really need to do some research on the med.marijuana v. Opiod issue. This is never going to be a blanket fix.
- Illinois Resident - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 4:38 pm:
BDD - Who said it was a blanket fix?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 4:42 pm:
–This governor,and many others,really,really need to do some research on the med.marijuana v. Opiod issue. –
What does your deep-dive research show on the number of marijuana overdose deaths last year compared to opioid overdose deaths?
- BlueDogDem - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 5:25 pm:
No marijuana od’s. But as a pain relief cure,it doesn’t work on all. Not all opiod users are addicts. For some it’s a great alternative. Others not so. I think you misinterpreted my post. The gov said…..it treats pain more effectively. For some yes. All. No.
- BlueDogDem - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 5:27 pm:
Word. By the way. Maybe I get some of my knowledge by personal experience.
- Illinois Resident - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 5:28 pm:
BDD - It is a tool in the toolbox. Who cares what Rauner says. He is no expert on cannabis in any way.
- BlueDogDem - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 5:31 pm:
IR. My point exactly.
- Illinois Resident - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 5:37 pm:
BDD - Are you in favor of recreational cannabis for adults?
- BlueDogDem - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 5:38 pm:
IR. Simple answer. I don’t care what they do with it.
- BlueDogDem - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 5:42 pm:
IR. Spent some time in Vietnam. Have seen,used, and been around some stuff that would make your head spin. Some guys,like anything, no effect. Others smoked themselves into the next level and the results weren’t so good. It’s not the product. But how we can safely use it.
- Illinois Resident - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 5:53 pm:
BDD - Thank-you for your service. I firmly believe that criminalizing cannabis creates major issues for society and the world will be a better place when it is legalized for adults recreationally.
- BlueDogDem - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 8:37 pm:
IR. Thanks. But thank the likes of the 58,00o lost. The John McCain’s of the world. I was a behind the scenes log engr geek.