On Aug. 28, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed
legislation that allows medical marijuana to be used as a substitute for
patients prescribed an opioid. SB 336
establishes a pilot program allowing an individual with a medical condition for
which an opioid has been or could be prescribed to instead use medical
marijuana for a period of no more than 90 days. Participation in the program
requires the written certification from a physician, and dentists are not
currently permitted to write the certification. Program supporters claim that
marijuana is less addictive than opioids and point to a reduction in opioid
overdose deaths in states with medical marijuana programs. Opponents have
voiced concerns about increased cases of driving while impaired and have
pointed to a recent study that found marijuana did not reduce patient pain or
opioid use.
Thirty-one states currently administer medical marijuana
programs. The New
York Department of Health established similar requirements in July
by adding opioid replacement as a qualifying condition under its medical
marijuana program.