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