Pubdate: Thu, 06 Aug 2015
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2015 Sun-Times Media, LLC
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/bf0vhqGQ
Website: http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81

GIVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM A CHANCE TO WORK

With every day that passes, it becomes more important that Gov. Bruce 
Rauner sign a bill resetting the start date of Illinois' medical 
marijuana pilot program. At the same time, if only to protect popular 
support for the pilot program, the governor has good reason to veto, 
for now, a companion bill that would add to the list of conditions 
for which medical pot can be subscribed.

The pilot program was expected to run for about four years, enough 
time to evaluate whether it helps people who are ill without creating 
unexpected problems. But due to a number of delays, the program has 
yet to start, and it is scheduled to end Jan. 1, 2018. The bill on 
Rauner's desk would reset the start date, allowing the pilot program 
to get its full run.

Companies have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in setting 
up medical marijuana operations, and medical marijuana already is 
growing and should be ready for sale later this year. But if the 
pilot program lasts only a little more than two years, it will force 
companies to charge too much to recoup their upfront costs. Patients 
might turn to cheaper marijuana on the streets, and the pilot program 
will fail.

The pilot program also needs more time to attract patients. Some 
10,000 patients were expected to sign up, but so far only about 2,800 
have completed the cumbersome paperwork and been approved. Once 
dispensaries are open for business, that number undoubtedly will rise.

But even as we urge Rauner to sign the bill resetting the start date 
of the pilot program, we believe he would be wise to veto a companion 
measure that would add post traumatic stress disorder to the list of 
diseases for which medical marijuana can be prescribed.

The medical community has not reached consensus on the effectiveness 
of medical marijuana in treating PTSD. The Illinois Medical Cannabis 
Advisory Board, which consists of medical professionals, favors 
allowing medical marijuana for PTSD. But the Colorado Board of Health 
last month rejected the idea, saying it's supported by only anecdotal 
evidence, not science.

PTSD is a very real and difficult disorder, but it is also hard to 
diagnose, making it easy for people to claim to suffer from its 
symptoms just to get legal pot. Our concern is that this could 
undermine popular support for the pilot program. If the pilot is 
successful, this is an issue that can be revisited.

Medical marijuana is critically important to people who are in pain 
from numerous ailments that don't respond as well to other treatment. 
For their sake, the Illinois medical marijuana pilot program deserves 
a fair trial.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom