HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

In August of 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a law called the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. The Act effectively gave access for qualifying patients to medical cannabis that is both grown and distributed through state-licensed facilities.

The Act grants access to patients who are living with any of the qualifying medical conditions, such as cancer, Parkinson's disease, seizures, or HIV/AIDS.

Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Timeline

PA 098-0122 – enacted 1/1/2014
  • Authorized Medical Cannabis Pilot Program; sunset 6/30/2018
PA 099-0775 – enacted 7/21/2014
  • Added seizure disorders to the definition of “debilitating condition”
  • Allows persons under age 18 to apply for a medical cannabis registration card
PA 099-519 – enacted 6/30/2016
  • Extended the pilot program through June 30, 2020
  • Added PTSD to the definition of “debilitating condition” and added a terminal illness eligibility category
  • Established a three-year cycle for patient applications
PA 100-0660 – enacted 8/1/2018
  • Ashley’s Law – Allows caregivers of minor registered patients to administer medical cannabis on school property
PA 100-1114 – enacted 8/28/2018
  • Established the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program
  • Provisional access to dispensaries for medical cannabis patient applicants
  • Removed fingerprinting requirements and eliminated disqualifying criminal offenses
  • Prohibits organizations from charging a fee to assist patients with application
  • House Bill 2023 – sent to the Governor 7/12/2019
  • Will make the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program (and OAPP) permanent
  • Allows veterans receiving medical services at VA facilities to participate in OAPP
  • Adds Physician Assistant (PA), Advance Practice Nurses (APN) and Nurse Practitioners (NP) to licensed professions which can issue a certification for medical cannabis for both OAPP and MCPP
  • Adds new conditions - Autism, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, osteoarthritis, anorexia nervosa, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Neuro-Bechet’s Autoimmune Disease, neuropathy, polycystic kidney disease, superior canal dehiscence syndrome and expands Crohn’s disease to include ulcerative colitis
  • Allows up to three (3) caregivers for adult patients and minor patients (launch date to be determined)
  • Requires immediate dispensary changes for MCPP patients
P.A. 101-0027 – enacted 6/25/19
  • Cannabis Regulations & Tax Act (Adult Use Recreational Marijuana) Program
  • Allows registered medical cannabis patients to grow up to 5 cannabis plants for personal consumption
Senate Bill 0455 – sent to Governor on 6/19/19
  • Amends Ashley’s Law
  • Allows Illinois schools to allow a school nurse or school administrator to administer a medical cannabis-infused product to a registered minor qualifying patient
  • Requires ISBE and IDPH to develop a training program for school nurses

Educational Resource - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

IDPH