Nearly a year ago, I published an article about the long process for approving and adding qualifying debilitating conditions for patients to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program. Chicago NORML was instrumental in the process that approved three conditions in January 2025 (endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and uterine fibroids). This year, Chicago NORML is preparing to submit petitions to the state to add Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) to the list of qualifying medical conditions.

Chicago NORML is asking the public to support the addition of these two conditions by signing this petition.

“Our goal is to raise awareness of how medical cannabis can help manage key symptoms—such as inflammation, obesity, and insulin resistance for PCOS, and chronic pain for Sickle Cell—so that patients have safe, legal access to relief. Expanding the list of common, debilitating conditions also helps highlight the growing need for medicinal cannabis access,” said Felicia A. Santiago, Chicago NORML Deputy Director. “We coordinated a statewide petition campaign, engaged patients and healthcare providers, and submitted compelling evidence to the Illinois Department of Public Health, which helped secure approval.”

According to Chicago NORML, PCOS is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women and people assigned female at birth. It causes debilitating symptoms like chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, anxiety, depression, and irregular menstruation. It is also a leading cause of infertility. Many of those affected suffer in silence without access to effective treatment, especially those from Black and Brown communities who are less likely to be diagnosed or properly treated. Sickle Cell Disease, a genetic blood disorder that disproportionately affects Black Americans, causes extreme pain, organ damage, and a reduced life expectancy. Patients often rely on opioids for pain management, but cannabis offers a safer, potentially life-changing alternative. Denying these patients access to medical cannabis is unjust and dangerous.

The petition will urge the state to:

1. Recognize PCOS and SCD as qualifying conditions
2. Expand cannabis access for patients in pain
3. Acknowledge and address racial and gender health disparities
4. Support the right to natural, holistic treatment

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