An outreach group for medical cannabis plans to open a clinic in Southern Illinois that will help patients get registered for the states medical marijuana program.
Caprice Sweatt, founder and CEO of Medical Cannabis Outreach, said the facility will open in early December – most likely in Carbondale – although the exact location is still to be determined.
Before the opening, the group plans to hold two educational seminars in the area to explain the application process and educate the public on the drugs medical uses.
On June 30, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill extending Illinois medical marijuana pilot program by 2½ years. The bill also added post-traumatic stress disorder and terminal illness to the list of qualifying medical conditions, which now total 41.
Under the new law, doctors are no longer required to state in recommendations that it is their professional opinion that a patient will receive a therapeutic or palliative benefit from medical marijuana. They simply have to verify that the patient has a state-recognized qualifying condition.
But Southern Illinois major health care providers – including Southern Illinois Healthcare, Heartland Regional Medical Center and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine – have been hesitant to back the program. Major health systems and smaller providers have directed physicians not to certify patients for medical marijuana, citing legal concerns.
This is why we are moving into the area, because there are so many patients in dire need and physicians that are associated with the medical groups in that area that are refusing to sign off, Sweatt said. This is a legal medical program, and its really disappointing that so many physicians literally refuse to take a look at it.
In addition to obtaining a physicians recommendation, patients must undergo a fingerprint-based background check, obtain proof of residency and pay a $300 application fee.
MCO, which travels all over the state to conduct educational seminars, will help patients through each step of the application process and refer them to cannabis-friendly physicians for certification.
We advocate for the patient, we hold their hand through the whole process, and we make sure they actually get that card in their hand, Sweatt said.
MCO has also partnered with local marijuana dispensaries Thrive Harrisburg and Thrive Anna to help educate patients.
I think theres a lot of people who are curious about the program, especially the new changes that went into effect recently. Its about education and awareness, said Thrive co-owner Rosie Naumovski.
A longtime supporter of medical cannabis, Sweatt has used marijuana to treat her Crohns disease for the past 25 years.
I was on 22 medications a day. I went off all of my medications at the age of 25, and Ive been prescription drug-free since then, she said.
Ive just made it my lifes mission, honestly, to inform people of what happened to me, and we encourage people to be truthful about their own story, because people hide whats happened to them, too.
The groups first educational seminar will be held at Carbondale Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1 p.m. The second seminar will take place at Mount Vernon Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Medical Marijuana Outreach Group To Open Clinic In Southern Illinois
Author: K. Janis Esch
Contact: The Southern Illinoisan
Photo Credit: Richard Sitler
Website: The Southern Illinoisan
