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Medical Marijuana Bill Advances in Legislature
A measure to legalize marijuana for medical purposes in Illinois has passed the state Senate -- barely.

State Sen. Antonio Munoz (D-Chicago) didn't cast a "Yes" vote until the last possible second, but once he did, the other 29 state senators who voted to advance medical marijuana legislation to the House rejoiced, breaking a tension that was at times unbearable as the entire chamber watched in silence as the votes were counted.

S.B. 1381 barely passed the chamber, with 30 voting yes, 28 voting no and 1 voting present. If the House passes it and the governor signs it, it would create a three-year pilot program that would allow physicians to recommend that patients with debilitating diseases be able to use marijuana as an alternative to traditional pharmaceutical medicines.

The bill's sponsor, State Sen. William Haine (D-Alton), says the pilot program will allow officials to determine whether the law is working, and if it's not, he says they'll likely scrap it. The bill also aims to set up a licensing system for medical marijuana, which would allow a caregiver to grow up to seven dried cannabis plants and keep a maximum of two usable ounces of dried cannabis on the patient.

Haine says this measure would also prevent people who need treatment from medical marijuana from getting it through the illicit drug trade.

(Illinois Radio Network)
05 27 09 by Newsroom
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