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Pritzker and Raoul could take one simple step to expand medical marijuana

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* Tribune…

With pro-marijuana J.B. Pritzker now in the Illinois governor’s mansion, all eyes are on his plan to legalize cannabis for recreational use. But even if approved by lawmakers, that could take more than a year to implement, and many voices are raising the call to take things slowly.

In the meantime, advocates say there’s a simple way the governor could greatly increase access to marijuana for those who want it for medical reasons.

At least eight lawsuits are pending to expand the conditions for which medical marijuana would be allowed under the state’s existing program. Chief among them is intractable pain, which the courts have already ordered to be added as a qualifying malady. But that ruling was appealed by the administration of Pritzker’s Republican predecessor, Bruce Rauner.

If Pritzker and new Attorney General Kwame Raoul drop the appeal, the court order would take effect within 30 days. The Illinois Department of Public Health, which resisted adding some new qualifying conditions during Rauner’s term in office, could also now choose on its own to expand access to medical cannabis. Neither Pritzker nor Raoul, who are both Democrats, have yet said what they’ll do with the pending lawsuits.

* Meanwhile, from the Chicago Crime Commission…

Today, the Chicago Crime Commission along with representatives from Drug Free America Foundation, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and a former member of the White House Drug Czar’s office and expert physician specializing in addiction medicine held a news conference to discuss the dangers of legalizing recreational marijuana. The news conference was held to urge Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to fully consider and prepare for the consequences before legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois.

“Legalizing marijuana presents significant public safety and health concerns that need to be fully discussed and considered before Illinois moves forward in this endeavor,” said Jeffrey Johnson, a member of the board of directors for the Chicago Crime Commission.

“First, it is important that we must address the misconception that legalizing marijuana will somehow be a panacea in addressing the illegal marijuana trade and other crime in Illinois by examining the experience of other states that have legalized recreational marijuana,” Johnson said.

I asked the commission to identify the person or persons who have been calling marijuana legalization a “panacea,” but have yet to hear back. The truth is, nobody in power believes that this will solve all our problems. It’s simply one step forward on a number of fronts.

The commission’s press release went on to cite junk science reports and made wild “reefer madness” predictions and I refuse to post crud like that. Instead, I’ll wait to see if any media outlets are silly enough to fall for it.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:29 am

Comments

  1. Who is paying for these Reefer Madness clowns? Appeals lawyers?

    Pritzker ran on this. The appeals of GovJunk’s administration were a waste of money. Move forward.

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:35 am

  2. Of interest is this recent Cleveland Clinic article as to their reasons for not expanding prescriptions for medical marijuana absent comprehensive FDA testing and vetting: https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2019/01/10/why-cleveland-clinic-wont-recommend-medical-marijuana-for-patients/

    Considering how well respected Cleveland Clinic is in the medical world, and the complaints that the State of Ohio is dragging its heels in expanding this program, I have reconsidered my past position of moving forward towards one of wait for the studies before jumping.

    Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:41 am

  3. We had an election. One side said no to legalizing weed. The other say yes. The yes-side won in a landslide. Why are we still listening to these clowns? Marijuana is mainstream now. Get over it.

    Comment by Anon E Moose Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:41 am

  4. == “Legalizing marijuana presents significant public safety and health concerns that need to be fully discussed and considered before Illinois moves forward in this endeavor,” ==

    Hasn’t that been going on for at least a year now?

    I don’t think you can accuse the bill sponsors of trying to rush this through under the cover of darkness. And I don’t want to say it was a prominent issue in the governor’s race, but it was an issue. Lots of discussion and consideration going on here if you’re paying any attention.

    Comment by Roman Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:44 am

  5. –Chicago Crime Commission–

    Al Capone, bang-bang. Apparently, they forgot their original mission was a result of the organized crime that flourished during Prohibition.

    Let me know when they get to the Sacklers and the docs and politicians who were complicit in hooking the country on legal smack. Wee bit more deadly than weed.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/15/health/sacklers-purdue-oxycontin-opioids.html

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:49 am

  6. It would be interesting to review the arguments used against repealing prohibition.

    Comment by Past the Rule of 85 Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:49 am

  7. “panacea”

    Marijuana is not a panacea for crime. It is not a panacea for state revenue. But maybe it’s a panacea for better health. And shouldn’t that be the main priority here?

    Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:50 am

  8. If anything,legalization should make it more difficult for teenagers to buy it. Not impossible, just more difficult.

    Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:51 am

  9. “The truth is, nobody in power believes that this will solve all our problems”

    Some of them sure do talk like they believe that. Maybe it’s the normal spin to “energize” voters, but that thought didn’t come out of nowhere.

    Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:56 am

  10. I refuse to take the arguments seriously until they start campaigning to ban alcohol. If legalizing marijuana presents such a significant public safety and health concern, then alcohol does as well. I have never heard of someone being killed by a driver high on marijuana but I can tell you people I personally know that have been killed by drunk drivers.

    Comment by ItsMillerTime Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:57 am

  11. Perrid - sources?

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:57 am

  12. ===But maybe it’s a panacea for better health. And shouldn’t that be the main priority here?===

    Amen to that. Dropping Rauner’s appeal should be a no-brainer.

    Comment by Cubs in '16 Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:00 am

  13. Dear marijuana legalization opponents,

    Thank you for standing opposed to legalization. Right now we get 100% of the sales revenue. It’s been a lucrative business for us all these decades. If many of us kill or die because of illicit marijuana, it’s nothing personal, just part of business. Thanks again for your resolute opposition.

    Sincerely,

    Street gangs and drug cartels

    Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:01 am

  14. I’m a respected member of my community. Why is it so important for these Chief’s of Police, who I personally know and have worked with, want to fine me or put me in jail. Geez, get on with it.

    Comment by the Edge Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:03 am

  15. “The truth is, nobody in power believes that this will solve all our problems”

    Some of them sure do talk like they believe that. Maybe it’s the normal spin to “energize” voters, but that thought didn’t come out of nowhere.–

    It came from people like you making up dishonest nonsense because you can’t make a rational, honest argument.

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:03 am

  16. Maybe the medical cannabis industry should give the new Governor and Attorney General some time to set up their offices before a implementing a public campaign to drop the lawsuits. Both Constitutional officers have voiced their support for medical cannabis and if I’m not mistaken, those 8 cases were from 2016 & 2017. If the industry is truly concerned for patients that are denied access, then why didn’t they push harder on the Rauner administration to drop the lawsuits? {sigh}

    Comment by {Sigh} Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:06 am

  17. {Sigh}, I believe they did. In fact, I think those groups you reference are actively supporting the OTHER side of the lawsuits that the Rauner administration continued to push. Perhaps what why now, with a new administration, they are renewing their push for the State to back off. Because their encouragement to the last guy didn’t work.

    Comment by Recovering Former State Employee Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:12 am

  18. what why = that’s why

    Must read-y before click-y…

    Comment by Recovering Former State Employee Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:13 am

  19. When 62% of the country and 66% of Illinois residents favor recreational cannabis, the prohibitionist position is outright comical. Haven’t they learned yet that they have lost this war? We all have google and smart phones now. Reefer madness does not work anymore.

    Comment by Illinois Resident Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:14 am

  20. The only persons I’ve heard or read using the term “solve all our problems” in regards to legalization, have been the persons arguing against legalization claiming that “people believe that this will solve all of our problems”.

    It’s a completely made-up line so none of the foes can actually attribute this claim to a specific individual, but very few journalists ever call them out on this. It’s getting to the point that advocates of the policy are forced to preface every comment with “Legalization won’t solve all of our problems, of course, but…..”

    Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:15 am

  21. Is alcohol dangerous? Does it produce evil consequences? Of course it does. Is it illegal? No. Why not? Because we tried that, and those consequences were worse. Yet there are many people who drink responsibly. We’ve tried prohibiting marijuana; the consequences of legalization will likely be more tolerable.

    Comment by Oberon Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:36 am

  22. Expanding the availability of Med Mar more quickly might be the best thing to fall in their laps prior to Rec Mar legalization. Drop the lawsuits. They were never constructive.

    Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:47 am

  23. There is this legitimate concern (not that it demands banning marijuana, but should require studying): https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/01/new-york-times-journalist-alex-berenson-tell-your-children-marijuana-crime-mental-illness-1/

    Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:48 am

  24. –Considering how well respected Cleveland Clinic is in the medical world, and the complaints that the State of Ohio is dragging its heels in expanding this program, I have reconsidered my past position of moving forward towards one of wait for the studies before jumping.–

    According to the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio leads the nation in opioid-related ER visits. In 2016, Cleveland Clinic had 1,200 opioid overdose ER cases.

    Guess how many marijuana-related ER visits there were?

    I urge you to do the research on the rise of the Oxy scourge (WSJ and NYT have done great journalism on the subject).

    It could not have happened without accomplices in the medical community and government. Lot of money to spread around with that legal smack.

    As the Cleveland Clinic points out, 75% of opioid addictions start with a legal prescription.

    https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2017/11/03/how-cleveland-clinic-is-dealing-with-the-opioid-epidemic/

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:49 am

  25. ===There is this legitimate concern===

    Also thoroughly debunked. MoJo should be ashamed of itself for that goofy piece.

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:52 am

  26. @Recovering Former State Employee: correct- the industry supported the lawsuits and Rauner opposed adding new conditions. What I was trying to say is they had 2 years to push Rauner to drop the appeals and add the conditions. 2yrs & top republican lobbyists.

    JB and Kwame have been in office 1 week (not 2yrs) and the industry is already going to the media to push the new administration to drop the lawsuits & add the conditions. Don’t poke the people who are supporative of the industry. Give them time to set up their office, maybe wait for a NEW IDPH DIRECTOR to be appointed and be happy that the new administration campaigned in favor of cannabis.

    Comment by {Sigh} Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:59 am

  27. During Prohibition wets demonstrated openly for their right to legally enjoy alcohol. Marijuana has a stigma that needs to end. Responsible adults have a right to legally enjoy marijuana. That should be part of the legalization debate.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:24 pm

  28. - their reasons for not expanding prescriptions for medical marijuana -

    I kind of doubt they’d prescribe a 14 oz order of prime rib with a fried lobster tail and loaded baked potato washed down with a few old fashioneds at Fritz’s either, but I doubt you think that should be illegal.

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:33 pm

  29. I read the Mother Jones article linked above.

    Could you post a link to the article(s) that debunk it?

    Comment by S of I 70 Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:36 pm

  30. @ itsmillertime. Hard to kill someone in a car when you cant catch them. Only driving 15 mph.

    Comment by Generic Drone Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 1:17 pm

  31. I’m having thoughts from out of nowhere…my brain is totally debunked?

    Trying to defend weed to Rednecks causes a rare form of Reefer Madness?…it’s enough to drive a guy crazy…Can’t wait for legalization…gonna jump for joy!…or at least hop…It will represent a true reckoning for those who suffered under these wrongful laws.

    Immediate Release for all non-violent Cannabis Criminals!

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 1:24 pm

  32. https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/1/14/18175446/alex-berenson-tell-the-truth-marijuana-psychosis-violence

    soi just use google

    Comment by njt Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 2:09 pm

  33. So many lives destroyed in the drug / culture war.

    I have lost some of my youthful zeal in heaping scorn on the bitter-enders. Some are just really good at self-delusions, but others are just really really cruel people. The drug warriors who were in their 50s in the 1980s are now in their 80s. Many are probably retired and enjoying the hardships of today’s federal workers.

    Comment by James Knell Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 3:27 pm

  34. The war on weed is over thankfully. I know it will take time to be implemented, and hope it helps our money issues. I know it is not a cure all but every dime counts. I don’t understand the refer madness that is still going on? IMO it is better than alcohol, it really needs to be federally legal and the stigma outdated.

    Comment by Just learning Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 4:02 pm

  35. ==a former member of the White House Drug Czar’s office and expert physician specializing in addiction medicine==

    I dare this member to name one person he found physically addicted to marijuana.

    Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 4:29 pm

  36. NJT. Thanks for the link.

    Comment by S of I 70 Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 4:42 pm

  37. Addition docs, drug testers and the police all stand to lose money if the all mighty herb is re-legalized, so it makes sense that they would oppose adults growing and using this plant.

    Comment by Kentucky Bluegrass x Featherbed Bent x Northern California Sinsemilla Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 6:14 pm

  38. @Sigh: I petitioned the state in January 2016&2017 to add osteoarthritis to the program. For THREE YEARS, my petition fell on deaf ears.

    The petition process is supposed to take 6 months. I’m tired of waiting for a simple yes or no. So when I petitioned then this year, I included a letter saying I will take this to Court for a mandamus case (look it up).

    I’m past tired of waiting and I want, deserve and demand an answer to my petitions. I gave the Pritzker administration 6 months to get its act together, and then I’ll litigate.

    Comment by Romeo Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 6:29 pm

  39. Medical marijuana is a gateway drug.

    It is a gateway OUT of the failed use of opioids for pain control, that which is demonstrably causing more deaths than are guns and automobiles.

    Comment by Glenn Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 6:49 pm

  40. @romeo =mandamus case (look it up).=

    LOL, I don’t need to look it up, but good luck. Woyld you qualify under the new opioid alternative program?

    Comment by JT, is that you? Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:45 pm

  41. ===Maybe the medical cannabis industry should give the new Governor and Attorney General some time to set up their offices before a implementing a public campaign to drop the lawsuits.===

    At the very least find the bathrooms. Lol :P

    Comment by Dr Dean Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:54 pm

  42. Time to end prohibition, it doesn’t work, My friend and me were talking about it 40 years ago, I wrote a poem at that time called “legalize it” when Jimmy was the Prez, and wished it would be legal by 1980, Here I Am still waiting.

    Comment by WarsaWasraW Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 7:24 am

  43. “The truth is, nobody in power believes that this will solve all our problems.”

    True, but just imagine how many problems it will solve or avoid. How many families will be saved by not sending one or more parents to prison for measly pot possession? How many sick people will get relief with very little side effects?

    Oh wait, I forgot the for profit prisons stand to lose millions and millions of dollars. How the hell did we even get an weed for opiate bill through without the pharmaceutical companies buying the state out first?

    Comment by Uncle Sam Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 7:24 am

  44. @JT, Is that you?

    Yes, I qualify under the alternative program. However, I certified under another condition. That alternative program, however, only has a 90 day validity.

    The fact of the matter is that IDPH has a legal duty to approve or reject petitioned conditions with 6 months. I’ve been waiting 3 years.

    I look forward to there being a new IDPH director who will follow the petition process

    Comment by Romeo Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 9:28 am

  45. Read this, fellow citizens.

    https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511726610-leef-should-the-recreational-use-of-marijuana-be-legalized-now

    Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 6:47 am

  46. Read this, fellow citizens.
    https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511726610-leef-should-the-recreational-use-of-marijuana-be-legalized-now

    Comment by Citizen Jeff Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 6:50 am

  47. Read this, fellow citizens.
    https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511716580-leef-j-b-s-21-issues

    Comment by Citizen Jeff Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 6:52 am

  48. Read this, fellow citizens.
    https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511720976-opinion-why-is-our-state-saddled-with-such-state-house-mediocrities

    Comment by Citizen Jeff Wednesday, Jan 30, 19 @ 6:53 am

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