Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Anna, Illinois - People suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and terminal illnesses will soon be able to access medical marijuana in Illinois. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill last week approving expansions to the state program.
After months of waiting and watching, Thrive Dispensary Owner Rosie Naumovski said she's thrilled Illinois is adding conditions and making changes to its medical marijuana program.
"We were very excited. We've been waiting for this for a long time," said Naumovski.
Pied Pfeifer Compassionate Care office manager Chasitie Taylor said she sees many patients interested in signing up for the program, including veterans with PTSD. She said the state's changes should streamline the process for patients coming in for the certification.
"Now when they come back to their second visit, they will be able to see the doctor and get their certification letter written for the state in order for them to get their card," said Taylor. The office is one of the few in southern Illinois that currently certifies patients for the program.
After you've met with your doctor and have a consultation, cannabis cards can be mailed to approved patients in as little as 45 days. Patients dealing with terminal illnesses could see an expedited process to get cards in to dispensaries even sooner.
Under the new law, doctors no longer have to recommend cannabis as medication for their patient. Now, they simply need to verify if they have a certain patient and if that patient has a qualifying condition.
"I foresee a lot of people that formerly couldn't get their doctors to participate now being able to have their doctors sign off that they have that condition," Naumovksi said. She said she sees success stories day after day with medical marijuana, and she hopes the changes help more people get the medicine they need.
Despite the change dropping the requirement of doctor recommendations, many southern Illinois doctors remain hesitant. Southern Illinois Healthcare says it doesn't plan on permitting doctors to certify patients for the program.
In a statement Tuesday, SIH said:
"The changes last week do not address any of the concerns from a federal perspective. With that said, we have no changes in our approach to medical cannabis at this time."
Current cannabis card holders can now renew their memberships every three years, instead of every year. The changes also expand the state's pilot program through 2020.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Changes Coming To Illinois Medical Marijuana Program
Author: Rachael Krause
Contact: 270-415-1900
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: WPSD Local 6
After months of waiting and watching, Thrive Dispensary Owner Rosie Naumovski said she's thrilled Illinois is adding conditions and making changes to its medical marijuana program.
"We were very excited. We've been waiting for this for a long time," said Naumovski.
Pied Pfeifer Compassionate Care office manager Chasitie Taylor said she sees many patients interested in signing up for the program, including veterans with PTSD. She said the state's changes should streamline the process for patients coming in for the certification.
"Now when they come back to their second visit, they will be able to see the doctor and get their certification letter written for the state in order for them to get their card," said Taylor. The office is one of the few in southern Illinois that currently certifies patients for the program.
After you've met with your doctor and have a consultation, cannabis cards can be mailed to approved patients in as little as 45 days. Patients dealing with terminal illnesses could see an expedited process to get cards in to dispensaries even sooner.
Under the new law, doctors no longer have to recommend cannabis as medication for their patient. Now, they simply need to verify if they have a certain patient and if that patient has a qualifying condition.
"I foresee a lot of people that formerly couldn't get their doctors to participate now being able to have their doctors sign off that they have that condition," Naumovksi said. She said she sees success stories day after day with medical marijuana, and she hopes the changes help more people get the medicine they need.
Despite the change dropping the requirement of doctor recommendations, many southern Illinois doctors remain hesitant. Southern Illinois Healthcare says it doesn't plan on permitting doctors to certify patients for the program.
In a statement Tuesday, SIH said:
"The changes last week do not address any of the concerns from a federal perspective. With that said, we have no changes in our approach to medical cannabis at this time."
Current cannabis card holders can now renew their memberships every three years, instead of every year. The changes also expand the state's pilot program through 2020.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Changes Coming To Illinois Medical Marijuana Program
Author: Rachael Krause
Contact: 270-415-1900
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: WPSD Local 6
