* Two medical cannabis amendments to Rep. Bob Morgan’s SB2023 are being teed up today. House Amendment 1 would allow advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to certify patients’ medical conditions. That role is currently limited to doctors.

The amendment would also add “chronic pain” to the list of qualifying conditions. It’s part of this list of new conditions…

autism, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, osteoarthritis, anorexia nervosa, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Neuro-Behcet’s Autoimmune Disease, neuropathy, polycystic kidney disease, superior canal dehiscence syndrome

Needless to say, adding chronic pain and these other ailments will greatly increase the availability of medical cannabis.

This proposal was held until after the recreational cannabis legalization bill passed so as not to undermine its passage.

Rep. Morgan ran the state’s medical cannabis program under Gov. Pat Quinn. The amendments are scheduled to be heard this afternoon in the House Human Services Committee.

Amendment 2 would allow municipalities in non-home rule counties to put a 3 percent sales tax on medical cannabis sales, up from the current 0.75 percent, to make it equal to the current cap on municipalities within home rule counties.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Whoa. Check out this roll call…

The bill now moves to the Senate.

…Adding… Press release excerpt…

While the Illinois Medical Cannabis Program has been lauded as a model for effective regulation, it is clear that a lack of equal opportunity is a weakness in the current cannabis industry in Illinois. SB 2023 takes steps to address inequities by including the same social equity standards that will be enforced under the adult use legislation that will come into effect in 2020. The 5 remaining dispensary licenses will be awarded with social equity being a significant factor.

“The first five years of this important program have provided valuable patient feedback. This legislation will address many of these patients’ concerns and will ensure the program can support patients with lifelong illnesses,” said Representative Morgan. “As Illinois legalizes the use of recreational cannabis, it is important to maintain a strong program that is focused on helping people with serious illnesses find relief,”

A summary of the bill can be found here.

       

17 Comments - Evanston - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 3:10 pm: It should be used Medically if it can help people. - Nieva - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 3:21 pm: So why do we need medical cannabis when anyone 21 and older can buy it? - Rich Miller - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 3:25 pm: Nieva, for one, it’ll be exempt from much of the taxation on recreational since it’s medicinal. Two, this’ll help keep the recreational industry from crowding out medical strains. - The Captain - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 3:33 pm: I was about to ask the same question as Nieva so thanks for that helpful response. - wordslinger - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 3:46 pm: Have the Pritzker peeps been able to catch up on the med-mar card apps that the Rauner crew were deliberately slow-walking? - Johnnie F. - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 4:01 pm: This is great to learn expansion of conditions is certainly needed. I know cannabis can help with certain pain, particularly migraines. - Al - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 4:24 pm: Also there are individuals who are sick with qualifying conditions who are under 21. Childhood leukemia and many more. - Kentucky Bluegrass x Featherbed Bent x Northern California Sinsemilla - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 4:34 pm: @word - Yes, what was ~90day wait for patient cards has now been about 30 days but if you submit your application online you can get provisional access in 24 hours from an email DPH sends. Patients in the Opioid Alternatives Program can get access immediately after applying but need to reapply every 90 days. So patient access is much quicker than it previously was. - Present - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 4:46 pm: So the word is out. I went to my local liquor store. They offered me a free sample of honey cod. I’ve never had CBD. No high just felt relaxed. I have sever ton and other facial nerve problems. This is incredible. And affordable. - Present - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 4:47 pm: Sorry can’t correct. Eye issues as well 😂 - Romeo2 - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 4:53 pm: Not surprisingly, my comments are blocked - Rich Miller - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 4:57 pm: ===Not surprisingly, my comments are blocked === Your comment was blocked because you used an exclamation point and since you whined about it I’m not gonna release it. lol - Kentucky Bluegrass x Featherbed Bent x Northern California Sinsemilla - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 8:06 pm: great testimony from Durkin. Many of those non votes also voted against the rec bill but a couple of the Dems taking a walk makes me wonder. - wordslinger - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 8:14 pm: KB, thanks - Still Waiting - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 9:57 pm: Why are some eastern bloc types no votes? They should really get serious about the tremendous meth problems in their districts instead of stonewalling on God’s creation. - SWIL Voter - Sunday, Jun 2, 19 @ 8:50 am: When would this take effect? Immediately after passage? - Laura - Sunday, Jun 2, 19 @ 11:25 am: Medical cannabis has been approved for autism in 11 states and Puerto Rico. The testimonies are compelling and we should do anything we can to help ease the suffering of these children and their families. http://www.mammausa.org/testimonials.html Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.