“Legalization doesn’t eliminate the need for medical cannabis.”

SPRINGFIELD – Hours after the Illinois House approved legislation legalizing the use of recreational cannabis, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) led the charge in the Senate to expand Illinois’ medical cannabis program.

“The legalization of recreational cannabis doesn’t eliminate the need for medical cannabis,” Fine said. “Many people rely on medical cannabis as part of their treatments and will still continue to do so once recreational cannabis becomes legal. We need to make sure they’ll still have access to the medications they require.”

Senate Bill 2023 expands access to the medicinal cannabis program. It gives nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants the authority to certify a patient’s eligibility for medicinal cannabis. Currently, only doctors have this authority. The bill also adds 12 additional conditions for eligibility bringing the total number of conditions to 54.

“Medical cannabis has been proven to be an effective method for treating debilitating medical conditions,” Fine said. “By expanding the number of possible conditions as well as the number of medical professionals that can certify eligibility, we can ensure that patients who need medical cannabis for their treatment can receive it.”

The bill passed the Senate on concurrence. It will be sent to the Governor for approval.