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Quinn Signs Medical Marijuana Provision for Children

Children in Illinois with epilepsy will now be able to use medical marijuana for treatment.

Governor Pat Quinn signed the legislation Sunday in Chicago. The law adds seizures to the list of treatable conditions in Illinois' medical cannabis program. It allows children with seizures from epilepsy to consume oil from the marijuana plant with a parent's consent.

Currently, only Illinois residents 18 years and older may use medical marijuana in the state's four–year pilot program.  Parents of children with epilepsy say consuming the oil reduces seizures and doesn't have some of the negative side effects of other traditional drugs used for treatment.

Opponents of the measure say they disagree with further legalizing marijuana. The state recently set in to place several of the regulations for the pilot program.  Medical Marijuana is expected to be available to patients next year.

The expansion provision to provide for cannabis oil for minors with epilepsy takes effect in January.

Jeff Williams is the Associate Director for Radio and Station Manager for WSIU Radio. Jeff is a native of southern Illinois and has been in broadcasting for 30 years. Contact WSIU Radio at 618-453-6101 or email wsiuradio@wsiu.org
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