September 10, 2024
State | Northwest Herald
State

Illinois medical marijuana advocates cheer Gov. Bruce Rauner's about-face

By SARA BURNETT

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks to reporters in his office at the Illinois State Capitol, Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) (Seth Perlman)

CHICAGO – Medical marijuana advocates are applauding Gov. Bruce Rauner’s about-face on expanding Illinois’ pilot program in length and qualifying conditions, saying it will allow time to show the program is worthwhile and will help more patients – including many veterans – who are suffering.

Democratic state Rep. Lou Lang announced late Friday that he, the Republican governor and the GOP’s House leader agreed to extend Illinois’ four-year pilot program until July 2020. It had been set to end by 2018, but supporters argued more time was needed because medical cannabis sales only started in November 2015 after years of trying to get the project off the ground.

The agreement, which must be and is likely to be approved by the Legislature, also adds post-traumatic stress syndrome and terminal illnesses with a diagnosis of six months or less to the list of 39 other qualifying diseases and conditions for which patients may use medical cannabis.

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