How to Advocate the Legalization of Cannabis in Illinois on a Personal Level

Lately, there has been quite a buzz surrounding medical marijuana, especially in the state of Illinois. Proponents of legalization of medical marijuana in Illinois cite several reasons to influence lawmaking regarding the use of cannabis in the context of medicine, such as:

• It isn’t fatal
• It doesn’t cause brain damage
• It is not cancerous
• It is less addictive than heroin and cocaine

If you also think that Illinois medicinal cannabis should be legalized, you can take the following steps to advocate your cause:

Get in Touch with Leaders and Influencers
The internet makes it easy nowadays to contact political leaders and public activists. So the first step is to get in touch with these influencers and build your network.

Attend Public Meetings and Gatherings
Stay wary of any meeting, conference, protest or demonstration in relation to medical marijuana in Illinois, and support your cause just by showing up.

Do Some Writing
To start off, you can write Letters to the Editor to local publications. This is one of the best ways to influence public opinion. Another powerful way is to start a website where you can write articles and provide news on this issue. Building a website is easy, thanks to free tools like WordPress and Blogger.

Donate
Finally, if you don’t have the time to fully advocate your cause, then you can consider partnering and supporting established groups that are already working on legalization of marijuana. The top name in this regard is the Illinois Cannabis Coalition. Visit their website to learn more about how you can help.

Finding the Best Medical Marijuana Dispensary Illinois

With more people becoming aware about the medical benefits of marijuana, the number of marijuana dispensaries in the US has increased over the past few years. However, with so many different options available in Illinois, it can be quite a difficult task to find the best one for your individual needs. Therefore, to help you find a medical marijuana dispensary Illinois that would best suit your needs, below are a few important factors discussed briefly, which you should consider:

Quality
Let’s be honest, people use marijuana for the different effects it brings about. Some use it for recreational effects while some for its medicinal effects. Whatever the case, it’s used by everyone for its effects. However, the effect of marijuana is directly related to its quality. Some are really strong, some mediocre, while others are weak. It is best you ensure the dispensary you are choosing is at par with the quality you seek.

Price
Price, for many people, is one of the most important factors. Prices vary from dispensary to dispensary, state to state and even according to quality. If you are getting the same product from somewhere else at a cheaper rate, the dispensary is overcharging you. So, do not buy from them. If you are on a tight budget, look for dispensaries offering quality marijuana at affordable prices. It’s not like there are none, you just have to look for them.

Location
And finally, look for a dispensary that’s (if possible) close to your home. It can be tough to locate good dispensaries in your area, but searching online is a good place to start. After all, nobody would want to travel way out of town to pick up their medicine.

So, follow these guidelines and you are on your way to finding the best medical marijuana dispensary Illinois.

How Does Medical Marijuana Work?

Medical marijuana contains compounds which can be used to treat certain debilitating illnesses and diseases and it can also be used to treat cancer. However, how does medical marijuana work? The answer lies in the composition of medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is said to contain a unique healing compound, known as ‘Cannabinol’, and special compounds known as ‘Cannabinoids’.

The Composition of Medical Marijuana 
There are 400 natural compounds in Medical Marijuana in Illinois. Out of these 400 natural compounds, eighty are only found in cannabis plants, which are known as ‘Cannabinoids’. These special compounds relieve many symptoms of illness, by attaching themselves to the brain receptors. Each cannabinoid produces a different psychological and physical effect. This is why certain strains are recommended for treating different medical conditions.

On the other hand, cannabinol, which is another healing compound in medical marijuana in Illinois, proves to be an important element for the treatment of cancer. Studies show that cannabinol has the capability of reducing the risk of cancer and stops the cancer from growing further inside the body. Cannabinol can also switch off the gene which is mainly responsible for the metastasis in many of the aggressive forms of cancer.

What Illnesses Can Be Treated With Medical Marijuana? 
It can be used to treat numbness and muscle spasms, vision, seizures and many more illnesses. Epilepsy, which is a neurological disorder that produces spontaneous seizures, can be treated with medical marijuana. Glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, HIV and AIDS can also be treated with medical Marijuana.

After this latest research, many countries around the world are legalizing medical marijuana dispensaries to promote the treatment of various illnesses through medical marijuana.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois

There are at least 20 states in the US that have legalized the use of marijuana and this has increased the number of patients being treated with it. Marijuana provides numerous health benefits and helps fight a range of diseases. However, to receive such treatment, it is necessary that you get a medical marijuana card which is authorized by the government. Here is how you can get a marijuana card in Illinois.

Do You Qualify For The Card?
You must be at least 18 years or older to qualify for a medical marijuana card. If you are not, a legal guardian must register as your caregiver. Also, it is necessary that you have a valid Illinois driving license, identification card, and a residential address. Furthermore, you must have written documentation from your doctor attesting to your medical condition, in addition to your medical records for the past 12 months with you. The diseases which make you eligible for a card under Illinois cannabis law include:

•   AIDS/HIV
•   ALS
•   Alzheimer’s Disease
•   Cancer
•   Crohn’s Disease
•   Glaucoma
•   Hepatitis C

Visit a Doctor
Once you have made sure that you qualify for the treatment, you need to visit one of the medical marijuana doctors in Illinois. Schedule an appointment, and if they approve you for a medical marijuana card, they will provide you the required certification.

Submit an Application for the Card
You can apply for the medical marijuana card after you have obtained the certification. Submit your certification form and other required documents online. It may take a week or more for your application to be processed.

Now that you know how to obtain a medical marijuana card, you can easily receive treatment from any medical marijuana dispensary in Illinois.