Experts expect to see a spike in Illinois medical cannabis users over the coming year, with some estimating the number to nearly double by the end of 2019

Illinois has passed a law allowing patients to use cannabis instead of prescription painkillers in an attempt to fight the opioid crisis.

The state’s Opioid Alternative Pilot Program law came into force on Friday, although it was passed in 2018.

Under the new law, patients who have been prescribed opioids for pain may purchase medical cannabis with a doctor’s permission from a legal, licensed dispensary in lieu of opioids such as codeine (Tylenol 2, 3, 4), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), fentanyl, and morphine.

Experts expect to see a spike in Illinois medical cannabis users over the coming year, with some estimating the number to nearly double by the end of 2019.

For many patients, opioids can lead to serious intoxication, addiction by or even overdose by users, even when used as prescribed. Medical cannabis has been hailed by some as a helpful alternative in the treatment of pain, due to the purported analgesic effects of certain cannabinoids.

Some studies show that states with legal cannabis have lower rates of opiate use than those where cannabis is prohibited. One such study from Emory University and the University of Kentucky found that “marijuana is one of the potential nonopioid alternatives that can relieve pain at a relatively lower risk of addiction and virtually no risk of overdose,” and that laws that permit cannabis use “have the potential to lower opioid prescribing for Medicaid enrollees, a high-risk population for chronic pain, opioid use disorder, and opioid overdose.”

Once patients receive the appropriate paperwork from their physician, they can apply online through the state’s Cannabis Tracking System to register. Once registered, patients can immediately purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary. Applicants are required to provide a regulation passport photo, driver’s license, proof of address (patients must reside in Illinois), and a processing fee of $10. Registrations are renewable and valid for 90 days.

State officials are lauding the move, including Illinois State Senator Don Harmon.

“Nobody has ever overdosed on cannabis,” he said. “As a policymaker that’s a chance I’m willing to take if we can substitute a more benign medicine for a much more severe one.”

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