SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (May 30, 2019) – The Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois issued the following statements in response to legislative progress in Springfield, as legislators move forward with proposals to make the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program permanent (MCPP) and to legalize adult-use of cannabis in Illinois:
“We are encouraged to see this progress on these important issues for our state’s economy and health move forward in these final days of the legislative session,” said Larry O’Hern, MCAI’s board chairman and owner of Nature’s Grace and Wellness cultivation center in western Illinois. “These proposals will create new jobs and economic opportunities, provide needed social justice, and help many people where other treatments fall short. We appreciate the hard work of our legislators and Governor JB Pritzker and the opportunity we have to play a role in shaping these important policies.”
“We have worked closely with these bills’ sponsors to address the social justice, economic, and health components. We believe House Bill 1438 provides a good framework to responsibly bring adult-use of cannabis to Illinois,” said Pamela Althoff, MCAI’s executive director. “We will be working with the sponsors on a trailer bill to address some issues that always need to be cleaned up in complex legislation like this.
"Thank you to Senator Heather Steans, Representative Kelly Cassidy, and Gov Pritzker’s Administration for their tireless work. We are proud of the good work and collaborative approach to date.
"We continue to work with Rep Bob Morgan on his efforts to make the MCPP permanent and expand the conditions covered through medical cannabis, and are encouraged by our recent progress. The program has helped thousands of Illinoisans get the relief they desperately need, and we can change other lives for the better with this legislation in place.”
MCAI is a trade association based in Springfield formed to represent cultivation centers and dispensaries licensed under the state’s Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. MCAI’s goal is to promote the medicinal benefits of cannabis, safe delivery of medical cannabis and overall growth of the industry while ensuring the public’s general welfare is promoted and protected.
