SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) celebrated the signing of an expansion to Ashley’s Law allowing designated caregivers at summer camps and other park district programs to administer medical cannabis products.

“Ashley’s Law was so important to making sure students are able to get the medication they need,” said Castro, who sponsored the original law. “This expansion will make sure they get continued care during the summer months, and I am happy to see it signed into law.”

Ashley’s Law passed in 2018 in response to the case of an 11-year-old student being denied use of medical cannabis prescribed to her to alleviate symptoms of leukemia treatment. Although she was a qualified medical cannabis patient, previous state law prohibited her use of medicinal cannabis on school grounds.

The expansion will help Ashley, whom the law is named after, and other children to continue receiving medical cannabis treatment while participating in camps and programs through park districts.

“Qualified patients deserve access to their medicine no matter where they are,” Castro said. “As camps get underway this summer and in the future, making sure kids like Ashley get the care they need is necessary.”

The expansion, Public Act 102-0067, was signed into law Friday and is effective immediately.