Medical cannabis extension needed

Gov. Rauner's amendatory veto on HB3299, the medical cannabis extension bill was an insult to the businesses that have invested millions to create jobs here in Illinois and a slap to those who will benefit the most from the extension, the patients.

The governor cited that he gave the program four extra months because former Gov. Quinn took that long to issue licenses. What Gov. Rauner forgets is he too is taking his time to issue final approvals and many licenses have yet to be handed out.

Patients were advised last year to start applying for their medical cannabis cards. Since then, not one patient has received any product.

That's one year since the first cards were issued. Would it have been more sensible to extend the program at least one year rather than tossing a sliver of a bone out to the state in the guise of four months? Absolutely!

No more political games. The patients are suffering and need relief. Businesses need the four years to gain back their investments and to provide sufficient data to the state on what is working and isn't.

If we don't extend, we risk not having the data needed to change or improve the program and we will see prices potentially rise. I urge all businesses and patients to call their legislators and encourage them to support an override on HB3299 and extend the medical cannabis program to the fully intended four years.

Patients are dying, patients are waiting for relief. They cannot apply for access to legal cannabis until these conditions are approved. I urge Gov. Rauner to let the IDPH director do his job and release the conditions stat.

Sandra Champion Somonauk