* From Cassy Dowell at Revolution Cannabis…

Good morning!

Any day now Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration will decide whether to reject or add 8 conditions, recommended by the state’s own advisory board, to the medical cannabis pilot program.

The latest patient count shows that there are 4,000 medical cannabis patients in Illinois — adding these 8 conditions (including PTSD, pain, etc.) would help to bolster this new Illinois industry. Expanding the program would not only help more Illinoisans, but would help create new sources of revenue this state desperately needs.

And a new poll reveals that the general public is in support of this program.

The facts at a glance are:

· Nearly 70% (69%) of Illinois voters support expanding Illinois’ medical cannabis program to allow more patients with debilitating conditions to enroll, including military veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder
· 80% of Illinois voters support allowing patients in Illinois to legally use medical cannabis if their doctor recommends it.
· Almost three-in-four likely voters say the benefits of medical cannabis outweigh the potential risks

The findings are from a Harper Polling poll conducted Jan. 12-13, 2016, for Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois. Source: http://www.harperpolling.com/polls/illinois-statewide-poll–medical-marijuana

Best regards,
Cassy

* More results are here…

Q: Do you support or oppose allowing patients in Illinois to legally use medical marijuana if their doctor recommends it?

Republicans: 66% Support/29% Oppose

Democrats: 87% Support/9% Oppose

Independents: 82% Support/12% Oppose

City of Chicago: 84% Support/11 % Oppose
Suburbs of Chicago: 82% Support/14 % Oppose
Rest of State: 76% Support/19 % Oppose

Q: Currently, the medical marijuana pilot program is limited to only a few different diseases. For example, military veterans who suffer from Post - Traumatic Stress Disorder cannot get medical marijuana even if their doctor recommends it. Do you support or opp ose expanding Illinois’ medical marijuana program so that more people are eligible for it like veterans suffering from PTSD?

White: 69% Support/21% Oppose
African - American: 73% Support/15 % Oppose
Hispanic: 69% Support/31 % Oppose

City of Chicago: 75% Support/13% Oppose
Suburbs of Chicago: 69% Support/20 % Oppose
Rest of State: 66% Support/24 % Oppose

Not coincidentally, the industry is saying it needs more patients if it hopes to survive.

Thoughts?