The Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois (MCAI) is releasing the first-of-its-kind poll results; three months after patients were legally allowed to use medical cannabis for a limited number of conditions.

Close to 70% of likely voters support expanding Illinois’ medical cannabis program. Nearly three-in-four likely voters say the benefits of medical cannabis outweigh the potential risks. An astounding 80% of likely Illinois voters support the current program allowing Illinois patients to use medical cannabis if their doctor recommends it.

“The message that Illinois supports the medical cannabis program is clear,” says MCAI co-founder and director, and Revolution Enterprises CEO Tim McGraw. “The Rauner administration and lawmakers throughout the state must follow the will of the people and leave the decision on whether medical cannabis is a suitable treatment between the patient and their physician.”

A further breakdown of the poll includes:

Voters Believe the Medical Cannabis Program Should be Expanded (69% Avg.) 

•     73% African American support
•     69% Hispanic support
•     69% White support
•     City of Chicago 75%
•     Chicago Suburbs 69%
•     Outside of Chicagoland 66%

Agree that Benefits Outweigh the Risks (73% Avg.) 

•     73% of Illinoisans
•     74% Women
•     71% Men

Support for Medical Cannabis is Bipartisan and Statewide (80% Avg.)     

•     Democrats 87%
•     Republicans 66%
•     Independents 82%
•     City of Chicago 84%
•     Chicago Suburbs 82%
•     Outside of Chicagoland 76%

“This proves that the people of Illinois overwhelming support patients having access to medical cannabis,” says Ross Morreale, chairman of the Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois and chief compliance officer of Ataraxia, a cultivation center in Albion. “Nationally, forty-four people die from prescription drug overdose everyday and patients should have the opportunity to use medical cannabis instead of highly addictive and dangerous prescription drugs.”

In October, the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board recommended that 8-debilitating conditions including Autism, Chronic Pain Due to Trauma, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Chronic Post-Operative Pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Intractable Pain, Osteoarthritis and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) be added to the cannabis registry. Favorable poll results underscore that the public supports the board’s recommendation and that the Rauner Administration should approve these conditions before the February 1, 2016 deadline.

Harper Polling surveyed 800-likely voters between January 12th and 13th, 2016 with a margin of error of +/-3%. You can view a link to the executive summary at http://harperpolling.com/polls/illinois-statewide-poll--medical-marijuana.

The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act became law August 1, 2013 and is slated to expire April 2018. About Us: The Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois (MCAI) is a trade association representing cultivation centers and dispensary organizations licensed by the State through the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. MCAI strives to promote the general welfare of the public, while promoting the medicinal benefits of cannabis, the safe delivery of the product and the overall growth and interest of the medical cannabis industry and associated partners.

CHICAGO, IL (PRWEB) JANUARY 19, 2016
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/01/prweb13170796.htm