Posted on 10/05/2015 10:20:08 AM PDT by ConservingFreedom
The patient most commonly seeking a doctor's blessing to use medical marijuana in Illinois is an older woman in Cook County with either severe fibromyalgia or cancer, according to data published Thursday in a report to the Legislature.
The eight-page report is straightforward and makes no predictions about the future of the state's medical marijuana pilot program, which Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner inherited from his Democratic predecessor, Pat Quinn. The Illinois Department of Public Health compiled the data to fulfill a requirement in the medical marijuana law to report on the program annually to lawmakers.
The report shows more than one-third of 3,300 completed patient applications submitted through June 30 came from residents of Cook County (1,180 applicants). Counties with the next highest number of applicants — Will (193), DuPage (186), Lake (173) and Kane (115) — also are in northern Illinois.
Sixty percent of applicants were female. More than half were older than 51. Severe fibromyalgia and cancer led the list of qualifying conditions, followed by spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis.
Nearly 1,200 physicians submitted patient certifications, including one doctor who wrote certifications for 998 patients. Ninety-nine percent of the doctors certified fewer than 24 patients.
Illinois law allows marijuana to be used for 39 health conditions, but chronic pain is not among them. The report notes that chronic pain is an approved use in 18 of the 23 states that allow medical marijuana.
"Unlike those states, Illinois does not have a general chronic pain category for which no underlying disease or medical condition is identified," the report states. "In Colorado, 'chronic pain' accounts for 93 percent of all reported debilitating conditions by patient applicants. In Arizona, 72 percent of patients apply under the 'chronic pain' category."
In Illinois, the first legal marijuana is expected to be sold in licensed dispensaries later this month.
Now I understand why kids are moving back in with grandma.
He says it a scam and you can always find a Doctor that will write one. Then he says that basically the Pot heads (him included) have won the war.
Then I see people saying that it is a wonder drug. LOL...
To help her with her severe fibromyalgia or cancer? That's touching.
That's not how it is in Illinois - read the article.
Then I see people saying that it is a wonder drug.
I've never seen that ... have a link?
Precisely.
He is in Arizona and give it time in Illinois.
OK, Chicken Little - but please understand if I don't hold my breath waiting.
Myself I really don't care what people do - the medical part is just a step toward legalization and a well sedated society.
I've never seen that ... have a link?
Read Facebook sometime.
That's not a link.
Everyday one over the hill person or another is posting something about the benefits of POT.
Then it should be easy for you to post a link.
the medical part is just a step toward legalization
The medical benefits of cannabis are well established. From the federal National Institute on Drug Abuse (http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine):
Currently, the two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest are THC and CBD.
THC increases appetite and reduces nausea. The FDA-approved THC-based medications are used for these purposes. THC may also decrease pain, inflammation (swelling and redness), and muscle control problems.
CBD is a cannabinoid that does not affect the mind or behavior. It may be useful in reducing pain and inflammation, controlling epileptic seizures, and possibly even treating mental illness and addictions.
NIH-funded and other researchers are continuing to explore the possible uses of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids for medical treatment.
I've never seen that ... have a link?
Read Facebook sometime. Everyday one over the hill person or another is posting something about the benefits of POT.
Backpedalling already, I see - "has benefits" is a much weaker statement than "is a wonder drug."
Ping!
One could wonder what might have happened in society to make the idea of life with it so loathsome that people are welcoming the idea of smoking it away.
I think it’s because God (or rather, what we mean by God) became a joke.
Backpedaling - wow - I honestly could care less what people do. Why are people enamored with a drug that eases pain and stress usually so very touchy about it.
I note that your claims are ever-shifting and never-supported, and that makes me "touchy"? Right.
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