Oak Park Senator Proposes Medical Marijuana For Opiate Users

OAK PARK, IL — State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) proposed a measure that he hopes will put a sizable dent in the ongoing opioid crisis that is claiming an increasing number of lives in Illinois each year. With the Alternatives to Opioids Act, Harmon targets the source of opiate addiction for many people — prescription pain meds. Harmon proposes a measure that will permit doctors to issue a temporary medical marijuana card for patients who are struggling with pain.

Once these patients apply for a medical marijuana card, their applications would be sped up and processed within two weeks. If the application is approved, the patient would receive a 12-month medical marijuana card.

Harmon said in a press release, "Research has shown that medical cannabis can treat the same conditions for which opioids are prescribed. With thousands of people from every part of our state dying from opioid addiction, it would be irresponsible for us to not consider any safe alternative treatment."

Harmon's proposed approach is unprecedented for the state, but it's not necessarily unfounded. Some recent studies have indicated that cannabidiol may be an effective treatment for opiate users.

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