A bill that would make people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder eligible to use medical marijuana now needs Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature.
It moved out of the House Tuesday without an amendment that sought to clarify that medical marijuana users are not prohibited from having a state Firearm Owner’s Identification Card.
The Senate failed to pass that measure.
“I do not want the veterans to suffer because the Senate didn’t agree on the FOID card issue,” Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, told fellow House members.
He said it’s an issue of “fundamental fairness” to allow medical marijuana users to keep or obtain FOID cards because sick people who use pharmaceuticals aren’t prohibited from doing so.
It’s not clear if Rauner will sign the bill.
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A Rauner spokeswoman issued the administration’s standard response: “The governor will carefully consider any legislation that crosses his desk.”
Some veterans have been advocating to add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of about 40 state-approved conditions that make a person eligible to use medical marijuana.
But if PTSD is added to the list of conditions, anyone diagnosed with the condition — not just veterans — could qualify to use medical marijuana, Lang said.
Separately, there’s another way the condition could be added.
A state-appointed advisory panel has suggested PTSD should be added to conditions that may be treated by medical marijuana in Illinois.
It’s up to Rauner’s Department of Health chief to decide if the condition will be added. He has to do that this summer.
