Robert Celt
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The Rauner administration's decision not to expand the list of conditions eligible for medical marijuana in Illinois is drawing criticism from military veterans, including a frequent visitor to KMOX's "Overnight America" show.
Vietnam War veteran Lon Hodge of Chicago — who travels around the nation with Gander the service dog — was among those who delivered 25,000 signatures to Springfield in support of adding PTSD and seven other syndromes to the program, "It's clear he's setting up the program for failure. There are many veterans out there who really could use this in place of addictive and lethal drugs. It's really a slap in the face of Illinois veterans."
Hodge, who suffers from PTSD and chronic pain himself, says the governor may be forcing people to leave Illinois and move to states with less-restrictive medical marijuana programs.
"When you meet the patients that I have met, who now use medical marijuana for M.S., people who've gone into comas because of too many medications given to them by the V.A. or military doctors, you get it. This isn't a bunch of people who want to go into a clinic to be able to get high," Hodge tells KMOX.
Hodge says it's clear to him that Bruce Rauner is siding with the big pharmaceutical lobby over the expert advisory board that recommended the additions, as well as the Illinoisans with money invested in the program, "You've got clinics now that only have 3 or 4 people coming in per day. That's just not sustainable with a $1.5 million investment like these guys have. These are pharmacists and other folks with incredible training, who not only are financially in this, but put their heart and soul into this to do the right thing for patients."
Hodge says it'll be at least six more months before the governor can revisit the issue.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Disabled Illinois Veteran Disappointed With Medical Marijuana Decision
Author: Staff
Contact: CBS St. Louis
Photo Credit: Mark Racas
Website: CBS St. Louis
Vietnam War veteran Lon Hodge of Chicago — who travels around the nation with Gander the service dog — was among those who delivered 25,000 signatures to Springfield in support of adding PTSD and seven other syndromes to the program, "It's clear he's setting up the program for failure. There are many veterans out there who really could use this in place of addictive and lethal drugs. It's really a slap in the face of Illinois veterans."
Hodge, who suffers from PTSD and chronic pain himself, says the governor may be forcing people to leave Illinois and move to states with less-restrictive medical marijuana programs.
"When you meet the patients that I have met, who now use medical marijuana for M.S., people who've gone into comas because of too many medications given to them by the V.A. or military doctors, you get it. This isn't a bunch of people who want to go into a clinic to be able to get high," Hodge tells KMOX.
Hodge says it's clear to him that Bruce Rauner is siding with the big pharmaceutical lobby over the expert advisory board that recommended the additions, as well as the Illinoisans with money invested in the program, "You've got clinics now that only have 3 or 4 people coming in per day. That's just not sustainable with a $1.5 million investment like these guys have. These are pharmacists and other folks with incredible training, who not only are financially in this, but put their heart and soul into this to do the right thing for patients."
Hodge says it'll be at least six more months before the governor can revisit the issue.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Disabled Illinois Veteran Disappointed With Medical Marijuana Decision
Author: Staff
Contact: CBS St. Louis
Photo Credit: Mark Racas
Website: CBS St. Louis
