Legislation passed by the General Assembly on several topics generated national and international attention and stirred up controversy this year. The true impact will play out over many years to come. Read more
Author: nina.sandlin
Fall Legislative Update – What You Should Know About Illinois’ Medical Cannabis Program
Illinois recently had an anniversary of sorts. The first medical cannabis dispensary was officially cleared to open in Illinois ten years ago, on August 25, 2015. … But even though medical cannabis has been legal here for over a decade, most patients and providers are still unclear on the details and logistics of Illinois’ medical cannabis program. Nothing demonstrates this lack of clarity more than one dreaded word: “prescribe.”
Mark Peysakhovich, IPS Legislative Consultant, discusses the situation in some detail in IPS Mind Matters, official publication of the Illinois Psychiatric Society, Fall 2025 | Issue 64
Here’s One Way CPS Could Raise Revenue
Noting – as it’s hard not to – the budget woes of Chicago’s public school system, Illinois Playbook’s Shia Capos asked around for ideas where money might come from.
What do you suppose Mark Peysakhovich said?
Read the October 11 item at Politico.
Can a New Weed Rule be Trump-Proofed?
Writing in Illinois Playbook, her newsletter on Illinois political news, Politico reporter Shia Capos noted that the state’s cannabis industry has a lot of questions about the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s April 30 announcement that it plans to reclassify marijuana.
A looming question, she reported lobbyist Mark Peysakhovich asking: “Is there a way of doing this that could be reversed by Donald Trump if he wins?”
Read the May 1 story at Politico.
On Unregulated Hemp Products
A new group of bills in Springfield seek to regulate hemp compounds such as Delta-8 in a manner similar to what is currently in place for cannabis. One bill would also ban the sale of such synthetic THC elements pending further study.
Bill sponsors and supporters point out the hemp-based products are being marketed in ways that resemble cannabis products in terms of branding and/or packaging.
Lobbyist Mark Peysakhovich agreed there is no room for the lookalikes, but added those products are not what his clients’ hemp is all about.
Read the news item at the WJBC Radio website, April 12, 2024
More about the issue at the Quad City Times.
IPS Joins Fight to End Prior Authorization
The Illinois Psychiatric Society supports removing prior authorization and other medication utilization management controls for Illinois Medicaid patients. Read more
THC Beverages on the Rise
Mark notes that they’ve found a level of legitimacy that some other items in the THC world have not, noting a recent announcement by liquor store chain Binnys. Read more
2023 – A Year of More of the Same
Mark notes that not much has changed in the cannabis industry, but over the long term most of us think it’s going to become a significant packated good. Read more
Illinois Releases Draft Cannabis Tax Rules
FYI for folks interested in the cannabis industry in Illinois: the Illinois Department of Revenue has released draft administrative rules pertaining to cannabis taxes in the latest Illinois Register, Volume 47, Issue 49. Read more
This Summer’s Good and Bad News
Mark talks about evidence of cannabis-related reductions in opioid use, good economic and fiscal news, and the unfortunate decision from Mastercard. Read more