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Rauner to keep med-mar coordinator in place

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Illinois

* There are most certainly bumps ahead, but this is important…

The state’s medical marijuana czar is staying put as the new governor issues pink slips to some state employees.

Bob Morgan, a lawyer and the coordinator of the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program, is “staying aboard for now,” said Gov. Bruce Rauner’s spokesman, Lance Trover.

The news was welcomed by some worried that Morgan would be immediately fired by the Republican Rauner, as he cleans house. The program has already suffered setbacks and delays because former Gov. Pat Quinn did not issue the business licenses needed to get the program going.

“It’s an excellent choice by Gov. Rauner,” said Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), who sponsored the medical marijuana legislation. “I’m proud that he did that.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:52 am

Comments

Shall we say that Rauner and Lang have passed the peace bong?

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:59 am
Smart move by Rauner. Morgan is top notch. A tireless worker and is the backbone of the pilot so far. He’s too good to just cut loose.

Comment by North side Nate Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:04 am
Good move. Now, can we get those licenses issued? The guy before Gov. Rauner was supposed to get that done before he left, but he was too busy … doing whatever it was he was doing … to issue them.

Comment by Roamin' Numeral Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:18 am
Smart move. He’s the most knowledgeable person in the state on all things regaridng the act and its implementation.

Comment by Johnny O'Veritas Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:34 am
Was afraid that Rauner was going to do everything he could to slow down or block medical pot. At this point, this move seems to indicate that he is willing to let the pilot program continue on, without committing himself to full advocacy…

Comment by downstate commissioner Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:45 am
Seems like a good move by Rauner.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:09 am
Another results orientated appointment based on ability to do the job by Rauner. So far, so good….

Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:35 am
“Bob Morgan is staying aboard for now.” What? If Mr. Morgan is the best person for the job, why make his job temporary? It sounds like all state jobs are now declared temporary by Gov. Rauner and his people.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:54 am
==- Arizona Bob - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:35 am:==

Try reading for comprehension, “staying aboard for now.”

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:16 pm
PC, “for now” could also mean forever in politics.

If Lou Lang wants him to stay, I’m sure that he can return this “favor” sometime in the near future. As you know, PC, politics is all about perception and the “quid pro quo”. If he’s really that good and isn’t partisan, it wouldn’t hurt for Rauner to keep him on in return for a favor from Lang.

Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:50 pm
Bob Morgan stays, but the website goes?

The agencies have information on their websites, but the medical marijuana program’s main website is down.

http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/mcpp/Pages/default.aspx

Comment by Betsy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:34 pm
==- Arizona Bob - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:50 pm:==

Do you even know what you said? “Another results orientated appointment based on ability to do the job by Rauner.”

“Staying aboard for now” does not equate to “another results orientated appointment based on ability to do the job.”

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 4:21 pm
These 2 guys are logical (Rauner and Lang). I’m not surprised they came to a logical approach. That little issue of $5M already put up by folks probably resonated with plenty of people too.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 4:39 pm
@Betsy: Looks like it was just a temporary outage, the site is working for me now.

Comment by Ali Nagib Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 6:01 pm