Browsing Illinois

A medical marijuana patient has been refused service at an Illinois bank because of his status as a legal medical marijuana patient. Darren Steven Miller suffers from terminal lung cancer and stage three multiple sclerosis (MS). When Illinois began implementing their medical marijuana program, he was one of the first patients to register. “This is between me and my doctor, not between me and my bank.” – Darren Miller According to Miller, The Bank of Edwardsville in Granite City, IL has refused to allow him to open a new bank account simply because he listed “marijuana activist” …

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Republican Governor Bruce Rauner has signed into law Senate Bill 10, which extends the expiration date of Illinois’ Medical Cannabis Pilot Program through 2020 and adds post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of conditions that qualifies a patient to obtain medical marijuana legally. The changes to the state’s medical marijuana law, which took effect immediately upon Rauner’s signature, are co-sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie). Rep. Lang was the driving force behind House Bill 1, the act that first authorized medical marijuana in Illinois in 2013. When the medical marijuana law was …

Lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly gave final approval to a bill that will extend the expiration of the state’s medical cannabis pilot program by two years. The bill, which awaits final approval from Republican Governor Bruce Rauner, also adds post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and terminal illness to the list of conditions that qualify to receive medical marijuana. Senate Bill 10 was co-sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), who was the driving force behind House Bill 1, the act that created the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program in 2013. When the bill was …

Former Super Bowl champion and Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon credits medical marijuana for helping him recover from the chronic pain he developed from his long and arduous career as a football player in the NFL. Now 56, McMahon has been plagued by debilitating health problems following his 15-year career in the National Football League which included multiple concussions and a broken back. Since retiring from football, McMahon has been diagnosed with early onset dementia and experiences severe headaches, depression, memory loss, and vision and speech problems. As a result of all these health issues, …

CHICAGO, IL – The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a policy statement and technical report this week that recommends the decriminalization of cannabis, along with removing the Schedule I classification that cannabis is currently under (alongside drugs such as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy). New AAP Report Suggests Cannabis Reform On January 26, the AAP updated its stance on The Impact of Marijuana Policies on Youth, which was originally published in 2004. As pediatricians have expertise in the care of children and adolescents, many of these health care …

SPRINGFIELD, IL — After passing a measure in 2013 to legalize medical cannabis in Illinois, the state’s law officially took effect Wednesday morning. Prospective patients will likely be granted safe access to medical marijuana facilities towards the tail-end of 2014. The regulatory agencies tasked with overseeing the Illinois medical cannabis program – the Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Financial and Professional Responsibilities – are expected to hold an assortment of public hearings over the next four months. They will be establishing the rules and forms that …

CHICAGO, IL – A team of researchers from Northwestern Medicine published a study in the December issue of Schizophrenia Bulletin that they believe could shed light on a possible correlation between adolescent cannabis use, poor working memory, and schizophrenia. This seems to fly in the face of past studies, which has found that cannabis may help improve cognitive functioning and inhibit psychotic symptoms in those suffering from schizophrenia. The …

Illinois Bill Would Ease Veteran Access To Medical Marijuana The Illinois House Judiciary Committee voted (10 to 6) Tuesday to pass an amendment to Representative Lou Lang’s (D-Skokie) House Bill to the House Floor for consideration. If passed, the changes must be approved by the Senate before being forwarded to Governor Pat Quinn (D). The amendment, which was filed on October 18, would allow military veterans easier access to medical marijuana when the state’s medical marijuana law goes into effect January 1, 2014. “The [Illinois] Department of Health would be permitted to …

The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is holding their first ever Midwest Cannabusiness Symposium & Networking Reception in Chicago, IL, on August 24. The day-long event will be similar to previously held NCIA symposiums, and will be an excellent opportunity for professionals to come out and learn from and mingle with other experts in the cannabis industry. Experts in the field will be covering everything from regulatory models and business operations, to investing in ancillary businesses within the industry. Speakers will include Aaron Smith, the Executive Director of NCIA, …

After months of waiting, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is finally set to sign legislation today that will make the state the 20th nationwide to legalize cannabis for medicinal use. The measure lays out a four-year pilot program for the state that will require caregivers & patients to undergo background checks and will allow seriously ill patients to carry up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis. Qualified patients will have to of had a serious relationship with their doctor and must suffer from one of the 33 specified medical conditions stated in the bill. “The result of other states …