Medical Marijuana Expansion: Judge Rules to add Intractable Pain to Illinois Qualifications

A judge wants Illinois to expand medical marijuana qualifications to include pain that is resistant to treatment, otherwise known as intractable pain. This ruling could greatly expand access to medical marijuana. Until now, only a certain amount of ailments like cancer, glaucoma, seizures and PTSD would qualify a person. The Illinois Department of Health rejected intractable pain, but Cook County judge Raymond Mitchell ordered the agency to add it. Advocates say this expansion could actually help the state of Illinois tackle another big issue - the opioid crisis.