Illinois Launches Opioid Alternative Pilot Program
Patients that suffer from conditions that require an opioid prescription can now buy medical marijuana in Illinois through a new statewide program.
The new Opioid Alternative Pilot Program, an offshoot of the state’s medical pot program, was established when former Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the Alternative to Opioids Act into law last August. The landmark legislation looks to address the rising toll of the opioid crisis.
Opioid patients seeking relief under the new program need a doctor to certify their condition. Once a doctor has entered the certification into the state’s tracking system, a patient can register for the program online, at a dispensary or at a local health department with a $10 fee, passport photo, state-issued ID and proof of Illinois residency.
