Ben Rediger of Morton also sides with the petition signers. He runs “Education to Grow,” a division of CBD Education Services LLC, a Morton-based organization that works with marijuana providers to educate the public and bring medical marijuana to more patients.

Right now, that means spreading awareness and raising money to defray registration and fingerprinting fees for new patients. Rediger is putting the finishing touches on a Feb. 20 fundraiser at Metamora Fields Golf Club for veterans who are patients, and he's planning one this spring for child patients.

“The only way we show progress in the program or convince the government to expand the program is to reach the community,” he said. “They’re not getting the veteran in McLean County who has Parkinson’s disease and doesn’t even know marijuana can treat it.”

Rediger said reaching family and friends of potential patients is crucial as well. Marijuana is approved to treat 39 conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, HIV and multiple sclerosis.

“There are thousands of veterans in Central Illinois who have (these conditions),” Rediger said. “We need to take it directly to them and offer an easier way into the program.”