For patients seeking alternatives to traditional medicine, a recent proposed change to the Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program means wider and easier legal access to the therapeutic treatment.
If Gov. Bruce Rauner signs the bill, as he’s expected to do, doctors will no longer have to recommend cannabis for their patients who have qualifying conditions under the state program, but will simply certify that that the patient has one of the currently approved 39 conditions. Under the proposed changes, post-traumatic stress disorder and terminal illness would also qualify patients to use medicinal cannabis.
“It’s a compassionate victory for Illinois patients by making it easier to get the necessary support from their physicians for using medicinal cannabis. With the change, doctors only need to confirm their patients have a qualifying condition,” says Paul Nowacki, assistant general manager and a patient care specialist at elevele, a medicinal cannabis dispensary in Highland Park.
Medicinal cannabis is credited with bringing relief to some 7,000 registered patients in Illinois, without the side effects of many traditional medicines. But medicinal cannabis is still a drug and one that requires professional expertise to customize and dispense according to patients’ needs. At elevele (1460 Old Skokie Road, Highland Park, 847-780-3942), each patient meets with a patient care representative who takes the time to get to know them and understand their therapeutic needs.
“We’re focused on our patients and their well being, not simply on products. With symptoms varying by patient, and a wide variety of medicinal cannabis delivery methods, each approach is different,” says Brian Topping, general manager and a patient care specialist at elevele. “We spent a lot of time listening to patients to understand their need for relief and desire to improve the quality of their lives.”
To be sure, not all products are created equal, and elevele has sought out the highest-quality medicinal cannabis that comes in a variety of strengths, strains and delivery methods to meet the varying needs of its patients.
“We only stock the highest-quality products from the best cultivators, like those from our partner Cresco Labs,” Nowacki says.
Quality is something the staff at elevele strives for at every step of the patient experience. Think spa-like ambience, privacy, security and professional staff who all work to alleviate wait times and increase comfort.
Are you qualified and ready to become a patient?
To become a registered patient at eleven, please visit becomeapatient.elevele.net and download our easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide on qualifying conditions, registering and changing dispensaries.
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