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| Medical Marijuana Bill Resurfaces in IL House |
(IRN)-Proponents of medical marijuana legislation are once again trying to get a measure through the Illinois house. This year's bill has a few changes over previous year.
For example, the sponsor of H.B. 30, State Representative Lou Lang (D-Skokie), says users would not be allowed to grow their own plants. He says that provision alone has given him more support on the house floor.
The FDA has not approved marijuana for use medicinally, a fact commonly cited by bill opponents, such as State Representative Patti Bellock (R-Hinsdale).
"The federal government seems to be stronger on this issue than they were six months ago regarding this issue," says Bellock. "The president has said he acknowledges the increase in drug use, not only marijuana, but drug use among youth. And that's a huge concern to me."
Lang says that argument is essentially irrelevant, because the federal government doesn't know what's best for individuals.
"Your own personal doctor trumps anything that's going on with any national organization or the FDA. If your doctor thinks you need a product, whether its Vicodin or marijuana, you ought to be allowed to have it."
The legislation barely passed out of the House Human Services committee on a 6-5 vote. It aims to create a three year pilot program to study the use of medical marijuana. It now faces an uncertain future on the House floor, and eventually in the Senate. But Lang feels he'll have more support with the measure's new provisions.
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 03 10 11 by Newsroom |
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