Judge Orders 2nd Look At Medical Marijuana For Post-Op Pain
A medical marijuana cultivation site in Dwight, Illinois, operated by PharmaCann. Norah Scott, PharmaCann
A judge has ordered Illinois’ Public Health Director to reconsider chronic post-operative pain as a qualifying condition for the state’s medical marijuana pilot program.
Attorney Michael Goldberg says Tuesday’s ruling is similar to a recent one regarding migraines.
Like that decision, made in late July, Illinois Public Health Director Nirav Shah can only take into account testimony made before the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board. Cook County Circuit Judge Neil Cohen says he can’t consider material from ‘his own improper investigation.’
Goldberg says there’s no deadline for Director Shah to decide on whether chronic pain will be allowed as a treatable condition. A Public Health spokesperson says the department is still reviewing the ruling.
Separate court rulings are expected next month on proposals to add autism and osteoarthritis to the list of medical marijuana’s qualifying conditions.