Illinois Expands Medical Marijuana Program to Include Minors

PRESS RELEASE

The Illinois Department of Health has posted

emergency rules

(PDF) regulating pediatric use of medical cannabis as part of the state’s new medical marijuana program. Under the rules, effective January 1, 2015, patients under 18 years of age with specific health conditions, including seizures from epilepsy, are able to access medical cannabis-infused food products for treating or alleviating symptoms associated with the conditions. Such applicants are required to obtain certification from a physician with whom they have a “bona-fide relationship” and from a reviewing physician. Additionally, a parent, custodial parent, or legal guardian must serve as the patient’s caregiver, according to the

department’s website

. The rules also expand the medical marijuana advisory board to include a parent or caregiver of a patient younger than 18 and a medical marijuana professional with experience in pediatrics, according to

Crain’s Chicago Business

.