Lawmakers from the 104th General Assembly have once again introduced bills and provisions that would benefit registered qualifying patient under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act and Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Rep. Bob Morgan recently introduced three cannabis-related bills that directly addresses the needs of qualifying patients in Illinois, including a cannabis reform bill, telemedicine bill, and delivery bill.

The cannabis reform bill, House Bill 3682, includes, among other changes, several provisions that would allow registered patients, provisional patients, or designated caregivers to shop at any dispensary in Illinois at the medical tax rate under Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act. This bill aligns with House Bill 1228, introduced by Rep. Sonya M. Harper, which includes similar provisions for purchasing cannabis products at the medical tax rate at all dispensaries.

HB3682 also requires prioritizing qualifying patients, provisional patients, and dedicated caregivers at all dispensaries, including provisions regarding mergers of certain licenses and medical patient prioritization, adds to requirements for Responsible Vendor Program Training modules and on-site certifying health care professional, adds pickup or drive-through options, and a one-time fee $10,000 for dispensaries to be deposited into the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Fund. In addition, HB3682 requires that “all dispensing organizations must maintain an adequate supply of cannabis and cannabis-infused products for purchase by qualifying patients, designated caregivers, and provisional patients” and have a “patient prioritization plan demonstrating that the dispensary is prioritizing qualifying patients, provisional patients, and dedicated caregivers,” which “may include, but is not limited to, the following: a dedicated service line for patients or caregivers; a dedicated time of the day for patients or caregivers, so long as the dispensary remains open at all other hours of operation to serve patients and caregivers; and a dedicated register for patients or caregivers.”

Morgan also introduced House Bill 3770, a provision which has been introduced into legislation several times. HB3770 would remove a prohibition against performance of a physical examination by a health care professional under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act by remote means, including telemedicine. In addition, Morgan introduced House Bill 2926, a cannabis delivery bill for registered medical patients. For details about the three delivery bills introduced this legislative session, visit here.

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