Here's some more good news:
http://www.therepublic.com/...
Minors with epilepsy would be allowed to use medical marijuana under a measure Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed Sunday.
The measure adds seizures to the list of treatable conditions in the state's medical cannabis program and allows children with seizures from epilepsy to consume oil from the marijuana plant with a parent's consent. It was sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Iris Martinez of Chicago and Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat, and passed the Legislature in the spring.
The original medical marijuana law had allowed only Illinois residents 18 years and older to use the drug in a four-year pilot program.
"This new law will help alleviate the suffering of many adults and children across the state," Quinn said in a statement. "Epilepsy is a debilitating condition, and this much needed relief will help to reduce some of its symptoms for those who endure seizures." - The Republic, 7/20/14
Here's a little more info:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
The Illinois law, which takes effect in January, would allow children who experience seizures to be treated with non-smokable forms of cannabis, as long as they have permission from a parent.
"I have a 14-year-old constituent by the name of Hugh who lives with epilepsy," said Republican state lawmaker Jim Durkin, who co-sponsored the new law. "His parents, Bob and Kelly, want to provide their son with as much relief as possible. Unfortunately, traditional medications and methods have not worked."
The state is putting the final touches on a broader medical marijuana plan, a tightly regulated program whose regulations were finalized just last week.
Residents will be allowed to apply for permission to use the drug to treat medical conditions in September, and the full program is expected to be up and running early next year, Quinn spokeswoman Katie Hickey said on Sunday. - Huffington Post, 7/20/14
Families of sick children are grateful:
http://www.kfvs12.com/...
“This legislation was really an initiative by scores of families in Illinois with children that experience literally hundreds of seizures a day,” Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago President and CEO Kurt Florian said. “Many of these families have uprooted for treatment in Colorado and have experienced dramatic reductions in seizures from oil based, low to zero THC medical cannabis. We are thankful to our sponsors and applaud Governor Quinn for signing this legislation which will help hundreds of children and families.”
The bill adds epilepsy to the list of treatable diseases in Illinois' medical cannabis pilot program. It also allows children with epilepsy to consume oil from the marijuana plant with a parent's consent.
Currently, only Illinois residents 18 years and older may use medical marijuana in the state's four-year pilot program.
Parents of children with epilepsy say consuming the oil reduces seizures and doesn't make children feel high. Opponents disagree with further legalizing the drug.
"My family is grateful to the Illinois Legislature and Governor for their sensible addition of those with seizure conditions to the Compassionate Care Act,” Randy Gross, the parent of a child with epilepsy, said. “We admire their particular courage in explicitly including children with seizures, and in giving an option to children with other chronic conditions to petition for relief. On behalf of all parents of those with epilepsy, we would also like to thank the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago for their support and guidance of this effort as well. Finally, for those of us who left Illinois to pursue this treatment, we are overjoyed and anxious to come home soon." - KFVS 12, 7/20/14
Now I support full legalization of marijuana but any step that proves that it can be used for good is a victory in my book. If you would like to get involved or donate to Quinn's campaign, you can do so here:
https://www.quinnforillinois.com/