Medical Marijuana in Midwest

Marijuana has been used in multiple sclerosis for spasticity and nerve pain.  On August 1, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law House Bill 1, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.   This four-year pilot program  allows for medical use of cannabis by patients with approximately 40 medical conditions including multiple sclerosis.  Cannabis will be available through 60 Illinois dispensing centers from 22 growers which will be tightly regulated by the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Medical cannabis ID cards, issued by the heath department, will allow individuals with multiple sclerosis to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every two weeks.

Marijuana use will be banned in public and driving under the influence. Minors, public safety officials, school bus and commercial drivers, police and correctional officers, firefighters, and anyone convicted of a drug-related felony are prohibited from obtaining marijuana.  The law does not go into effect until Jan 1, 2014, but the first clinic might not open until the fall of 2014 until the rules are finalized.