Robert Celt
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Dave Stewart of Normal wasn't deterred by the state's decision last week not to expand access to medical marijuana.
After the Department of Public Health announced the drug would continue to be barred for patients with eight medical conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, Stewart said he plans to keep pushing.
"It just makes it to where we have to fight even more," he said.
For Stewart, who suffers from PTSD related to two tours of Army service in Iraq, that's "talking to people," he said.
But that's exactly what's necessary, said Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois Chairman Ross Morreale of Chicago.
"It's such a rigid administration when it comes to denying suffering patients access to this," he said. "More people need to be talking about this. More people need to be outraged by it."
Medical marijuana sales opened Nov. 9 and about 4,400 patients are registered, below expectations. Adding more conditions would have expanded that figure, which Gov. Bruce Rauner said is critical to continuing the pilot program past its expiration in 2017.
Stewart was one of 25,000 supporters to sign a petition delivered to Rauner days before the Department of Public Health announcement.
Ben Rediger of Morton also sides with the petition signers. He runs "Education to Grow," a division of CBD Education Services LLC, a Morton-based organization that works with marijuana providers to educate the public and bring medical marijuana to more patients.
Right now, that means spreading awareness and raising money to defray registration and fingerprinting fees for new patients. Rediger is putting the finishing touches on a Feb. 20 fundraiser at Metamora Fields Golf Club for veterans who are patients, and he's planning one this spring for child patients.
"The only way we show progress in the program or convince the government to expand the program is to reach the community," he said. "They're not getting the veteran in McLean County who has Parkinson's disease and doesn't even know marijuana can treat it."
Rediger said reaching family and friends of potential patients is crucial as well. Marijuana is approved to treat 39 conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, HIV and multiple sclerosis.
"There are thousands of veterans in Central Illinois who have (these conditions)," Rediger said. "We need to take it directly to them and offer an easier way into the program."
Morreale, who also owns part of a marijuana cultivation center in Albion, said his organization is launching a site to help patients find a doctor who has prescribed medical marijuana in the past.
He recommended reaching out to state legislators as well.
"If you're a patient that has one of those conditions, set up a meeting and tell them, 'This is how this helps me,'" Morreale said. "The more we can humanize these (ailments) in the eyes of our elected officials, the more patients will have access to these products."
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical Marijuana Supporters Keep Pushing For Access In Illinois
Author: Derek Beigh
Contact: Pantagraph
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Website: Pantagraph
After the Department of Public Health announced the drug would continue to be barred for patients with eight medical conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, Stewart said he plans to keep pushing.
"It just makes it to where we have to fight even more," he said.
For Stewart, who suffers from PTSD related to two tours of Army service in Iraq, that's "talking to people," he said.
But that's exactly what's necessary, said Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois Chairman Ross Morreale of Chicago.
"It's such a rigid administration when it comes to denying suffering patients access to this," he said. "More people need to be talking about this. More people need to be outraged by it."
Medical marijuana sales opened Nov. 9 and about 4,400 patients are registered, below expectations. Adding more conditions would have expanded that figure, which Gov. Bruce Rauner said is critical to continuing the pilot program past its expiration in 2017.
Stewart was one of 25,000 supporters to sign a petition delivered to Rauner days before the Department of Public Health announcement.
Ben Rediger of Morton also sides with the petition signers. He runs "Education to Grow," a division of CBD Education Services LLC, a Morton-based organization that works with marijuana providers to educate the public and bring medical marijuana to more patients.
Right now, that means spreading awareness and raising money to defray registration and fingerprinting fees for new patients. Rediger is putting the finishing touches on a Feb. 20 fundraiser at Metamora Fields Golf Club for veterans who are patients, and he's planning one this spring for child patients.
"The only way we show progress in the program or convince the government to expand the program is to reach the community," he said. "They're not getting the veteran in McLean County who has Parkinson's disease and doesn't even know marijuana can treat it."
Rediger said reaching family and friends of potential patients is crucial as well. Marijuana is approved to treat 39 conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, HIV and multiple sclerosis.
"There are thousands of veterans in Central Illinois who have (these conditions)," Rediger said. "We need to take it directly to them and offer an easier way into the program."
Morreale, who also owns part of a marijuana cultivation center in Albion, said his organization is launching a site to help patients find a doctor who has prescribed medical marijuana in the past.
He recommended reaching out to state legislators as well.
"If you're a patient that has one of those conditions, set up a meeting and tell them, 'This is how this helps me,'" Morreale said. "The more we can humanize these (ailments) in the eyes of our elected officials, the more patients will have access to these products."
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical Marijuana Supporters Keep Pushing For Access In Illinois
Author: Derek Beigh
Contact: Pantagraph
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Website: Pantagraph
