The chair of Illinois’ Medical Cannabis Advisory Board isn’t holding out a lot of hope for some conditions to be approved for treatment with the drug… even after endorsing them a second time. The list of eight recommended in the panel’s meeting last week included Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and osteoarthritis. Weeks before, Illinois’ Public Health Director rejected those conditions, and nine others… while Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill supporting cannabis treatment for PTSD. He said the costs and benefits of a pilot medical cannabis program needed further evaluation once the product first became available. Board Chair Leslie Mendoza Temple says the ‘summary, blanket veto’ makes her wonder if the group should meet at all.
“We just do what we’re charged to do, we vet the conditions, we have a thoughtful discussion about it, we weigh the pros and cons, we listen to petitions, and we make a decision as a board. That’s what we’re going to do. What I can’t say is what are the politics and the social agenda behind any of the approvals and rejections that we’re going to get.”She also wants further feedback from the governor, but knows the final call is out of her hands. “We just do what we’re charged to do, we vet the conditions, we have a thoughtful discussion about it, we weigh the pros and cons, we listen to petitions, and we make a decision as a board. That’s what we’re going to do. What I can’t say is what are the politics and the social agenda behind any of the approvals and rejections that we’re going to get.” The advisory board also recommended some new conditions, including autism and chronic pain syndrome. The panel won’t meet again until May. Temple says she expects most Illinois dispensaries that sell the product will be operating by January. The governor’s office declined to comment on a timetable for ruling on the latest recommendations.
