8 conditions kept out of medical marijuana program

Illinois residents suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoarthritis or one of four other chronic disorders will not be able to apply to use medical marijuana for now, Nirav Shah, director of the state public health department, announced Friday.

The advisory board for the medical marijuana pilot program had recommended in October that eight more conditions be added to the list of qualifying ailments. The medical marijuana program launched in 2013, but the first dispensaries did not open until October.

Shah decided to keep the current list, which includes cancer and traumatic brain injury.

"As patients have just started purchasing medical cannabis, the state has not had the opportunity to evaluate the benefits and costs of the pilot program or determine areas for improvement or even whether to extend the program beyond its pilot period," health department spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said.

Jonathan Byrne, an Iraq War veteran and resident of Cary, was among medical marijuana advocates who visited the Capitol in Springfield on Wednesday to urge Gov. Bruce Rauner to expand the program.

Byrne said medical marijuana has helped him deal with the effects of a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder sustained during his two tours of duty.

"I currently have a medical marijuana card for traumatic brain injury. It has done wonders for my post-traumatic stress as well. All my symptoms have been manageable," he said.

During January and July, the health department accepts petitions for other debilitating conditions for the program to cover.

The director of public health then has six months to decide whether to include the illnesses.