Illinois Allows Marijuana for Medical Use
Call (708) 460-9300
Free Consultation
Any activity involving the cannabis plant is a criminal offense. In all the jurisdictions, it is an offense to possess marijuana, transport marijuana, drive under the influence of marijuana, sell marijuana and grow cannabis. But scientific evidence verifies that marijuana has the following therapeutic effects:
Relief from nausea and increase of appetite.
Reduction of intraocular (within the eye) pressure.
Reduction of muscle spasms.
Relief from chronic pain.
Therefore, it is sometimes used to treat the symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other serious conditions. There is tremendous public support for allowing patients to use medical marijuana.
On August 1, 2013, Illinois Governor signed the Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill into Law. The new act is known as Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. Illinois is the 20th State to allow marijuana for limited medical purposes. The Law takes effect January 1. Under the new law, marijuana use is permitted under a doctor’s prescription for more than 30 debilitating medical conditions. Any citizen can petition to the Department of Public Health to add a new debilitating medical condition or treatment to the list of medical conditions provided in the law. The law requires users, growers and dispensaries to undergo fingerprinting and criminal background checks. The number of growers and dispensaries and the amount of marijuana use are limited under the law. The most seriously ill patients can be allowed to get up to 2.5 ounces every two weeks. The growers and sellers of the drug must be fingerprinted and undergo background checks. Landlords and employers can ban its use on their property. Users suspected of driving under the influence face the loss of not only their driving privileges, but also their marijuana-use permits. The Department of Agriculture will issue registration for the medical marijuana cultivation centers.
The term ‘medical use’ under the new law means the acquisition, administration, delivery, possession, transfer, transportation or use of cannabis to treat or alleviate a registered qualifying patient’s debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient’s medical condition.
Changing current law to allow patients to use marijuana for medicinal purposes raises a host of scientific, regulatory and political issues. Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Washington D.C. have removed state-level punishments from the medical use and cultivation of cannabis. By passing the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, Illinois joins in this effort for the health and welfare of its citizens.
Illinois Law is one of the strictest among the nation according the Marijuana Policy Project. Illinois does not allow reciprocity. The Out-of-State patients who obtain marijuana legally in their states are not allowed get it in Illinois. Army Veteran Jim Champion was the main campaigner for the new law.
AUTHOR: VAG Krishnan
Copyright Law Offices of Michael J. Brennan
More information about Law Offices of Michael J. Brennan
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Reduction of intraocular (within the eye) pressure.
Reduction of muscle spasms.
Relief from chronic pain.
Therefore, it is sometimes used to treat the symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other serious conditions. There is tremendous public support for allowing patients to use medical marijuana.
On August 1, 2013, Illinois Governor signed the Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill into Law. The new act is known as Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. Illinois is the 20th State to allow marijuana for limited medical purposes. The Law takes effect January 1. Under the new law, marijuana use is permitted under a doctor’s prescription for more than 30 debilitating medical conditions. Any citizen can petition to the Department of Public Health to add a new debilitating medical condition or treatment to the list of medical conditions provided in the law. The law requires users, growers and dispensaries to undergo fingerprinting and criminal background checks. The number of growers and dispensaries and the amount of marijuana use are limited under the law. The most seriously ill patients can be allowed to get up to 2.5 ounces every two weeks. The growers and sellers of the drug must be fingerprinted and undergo background checks. Landlords and employers can ban its use on their property. Users suspected of driving under the influence face the loss of not only their driving privileges, but also their marijuana-use permits. The Department of Agriculture will issue registration for the medical marijuana cultivation centers.
The term ‘medical use’ under the new law means the acquisition, administration, delivery, possession, transfer, transportation or use of cannabis to treat or alleviate a registered qualifying patient’s debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient’s medical condition.
Changing current law to allow patients to use marijuana for medicinal purposes raises a host of scientific, regulatory and political issues. Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Washington D.C. have removed state-level punishments from the medical use and cultivation of cannabis. By passing the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, Illinois joins in this effort for the health and welfare of its citizens.
Illinois Law is one of the strictest among the nation according the Marijuana Policy Project. Illinois does not allow reciprocity. The Out-of-State patients who obtain marijuana legally in their states are not allowed get it in Illinois. Army Veteran Jim Champion was the main campaigner for the new law.
AUTHOR: VAG Krishnan
Copyright Law Offices of Michael J. Brennan
More information about Law Offices of Michael J. Brennan
View all articles published by Law Offices of Michael J. Brennan
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
