The Medical Cannabis Advisory Board (MCAB), in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health, hosted its second virtual meeting today from 1-3 p.m. MCAB board members took preliminary votes to include two qualifying debilitating conditions for medical cannabis patients in Illinois. After a few introductory items, board members first discussed the process for filing new qualifying debilitating conditions for medical patients, and then listened to public comments from medical patients and advocates about the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. After public comment, board members voted anonymously via private messages for two new conditions to be added, Endometriosis and FOD (Female Organismic Disorder).

The first comments from the pubic came from Dr. Suzanne Mulvehill, a Board Certified Clinical Sexologist and Female Orgasmic Disorder Specialist. Mulvehill advocated for including FOD as a debilitating condition in Illinois and cited research studies to back up her argument. Mulvehill stated, “I too was affected by FOD and saw four sex therapists to help resolve it. I dealt with the sexual shame and stigma of having FOD. To my very own surprise, it was cannabis that helped me overcome FOD.” Mulvehill asked the board to support FOD being added, “so women can overcome FOD and the stigma and shame that accompany it.”

Mulvehill introduced Illinois resident Gabriella Bova, who had submitted the petition to add FOD to the list of qualifying conditions.

“I have struggled with FOD myself for most of my adult life, and I became interested in cannabis as a treatment when nothing else worked for me,” said Bova. “FOD affects up to 41% of women worldwide and there are no conventional medical treatments. The fact that percentage has not changed in 50 years tells us that this is a problem that is not being solved. Women who have FOD have more mental health issues, take more prescription medication, and deal with more depression, anxiety, and sexual abuse histories than women without FOD. It’s a series and under recognized public health issue.”

David Bauer, who lost his mother to lung cancer, spoke about establishing a standard for science-based education and solutions about cannabis vapes for Illinois dispensaries. Arianne Richards, Executive Director of Chicago NORML, spoke next about what she regarded as, the “troubling mishandling of the petitions submitted in July 2023 to include four women’s health conditions on the list of qualifying conditions for the Medical Cannabis Program.”

“Our journey towards advocacy was met with immense disappointment due to the egregious mishandling of our submissions by IDPH,” said Richards. “Instead of receiving the due diligence and respect our petitions warranted, they were initially misinterpreted as applications for Medical Cannabis Cards. This blunder showcases a concerning level of negligence, irresponsibility, and a lack of care within IDPH…Furthermore, it is imperative to recognize the systemic disparities faced by women of color, particularly black and brown women, within the healthcare system.”

Kaleb Pape spoke next and advocated for more access for medical cannabis knowledge and other medical needs for patients.

“I think it’s important that we allow patients access to proper medical cannabis consulting by placing a medical cannabis advisor in dispensaries—and also in pharmacies,” he said. “Secondly, along with that, we need to see a greater array of cannabinoid profiles available to medical patients and greater advocacy. The present model is very THC driven, with a slight nod to CBD and an occasional throwback nod to CBG, or some people pretending CBN is a sleep aid.” Lastly, Pape advocated for a framework for customized products specific to the patient’s endocannabinoid system and preference for consumption.

Medical patient Emily then spoke about including a caregiver program in Illinois similar to those in other states in which a caregiver can grow medical cannabis for medical patients, as well as cannabis product quality control concerns and homegrown cannabis concerns. The last registered public comment did not get to speak, but the person’s comment was a question about limits on how much homegrown cannabis can a medical patient legally keep in their own home.

After the public comments and some heated discussion, board members preliminary votes were counted, and board members voted to recommend Endometriosis and FOD to be added to the list of qualifying conditions for medical patients. The recommendations will continue through the process, and ultimately the Illinois Department of Public Health will make the final acceptance or rejection.

The Medical Cannabis Advisory Board had set its third meeting date for August 2024, but several board members urged the board to move up the next meeting sooner because many of the conditions had been waiting for a vote for more than a year. The board also considered meeting in-person for future dates. The next meeting date will be announced soon. During the next meeting, board members plan to discuss and vote on a few more qualifying conditions, including uterine fibroids, PCOS, and ovarian cysts. For more Illinois cannabis industry news, visit here.

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