(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – The McHenry County state's attorney has threatened to sue cannabis dispensaries in his county if they don't post prominent signs warning that marijuana can cause mental health issues.
Patrick Kenneally says at least two of the four cannabis dispensaries in McHenry County have agreed to post the signs, that cannabis use has been associated with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, increased thoughts of suicide and depression.
He says there's no reliable scientific study that shows using marijuana can treat medical conditions.
"This idea that marijuana is medicine is one of the biggest frauds that's been perpetrated on the Illinois citizenry by, not only Big Marijuana, but also our elected representatives," Kenneally told WBBM Newsradio on Friday.
Kenneally said the state's legalization of cannabis for medical reasons paved the way for legalizing and taxing recreational cannabis in Illinois. He argues there is a connection between the drug and an increase in suicides in his county last year.
"The most common drug that was found in the toxicology or the blood samples that we take of the decedents, was cannabis, more so than alcohol. I was floored by that. I was shocked by that," the prosecutor said.
The state of Illinois says legal recreational marijuana sales amounted to more than $1.5 billion last year.
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