Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill Passes House Committee for the First Time Ever, 4-3

[dysfunctional press]

Source: stopthedrugwar.org

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — The Illinois House Human Services Committee passed a bipartisan bill today, 4-3, that would allow seriously ill patients with certain debilitating conditions who have their doctors’ recommendations to use medical marijuana without fear of arrest. A companion bill, SB 1381, is sponsored by three-term former state's attorney Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton) in the Illinois Senate and is expected to receive a hearing in the Senate Public Health Committee next Tuesday. HB 2514, the House medical marijuana bill, is sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie).

Although this isn't the first time a medical marijuana bill was introduced in the Illinois House, this is the first time a House committee passed such a bill. Advocates hope state lawmakers will note that 63 percent of Michigan voters approved a similar law last November and that a 2008 statewide poll shows 68 percent support among Illinois voters for such a law.

"Doctors need every safe, effective medicine available to them when treating patients with serious conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and multiple sclerosis," said Dr. Jay Riseman, a Springfield physician who testified before the committee today. "I've seen medical marijuana work for patients when nothing else did, and I should be able to recommend it to my patients without leaving them vulnerable to arrest and even jail."

With more than 26,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.

Read more: http://stopthedrugwar.org/in_the_trenches/2009/mar/04/illinois_medical_marijuana_bill_

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combined with the obama white house's new policy regarding suspending dea raids on rx pot, this is potentially FANTASTIC news.

[daggahead]

1. One state at a time ... n/t

[Royal Sloan 09]

2. K & R, Solution = Legalize

Yes, We Cannabis!

:kick: :smoke: :thumbsup:

Sorry if it sounds like a broken record, but must keep repeating it. Just love singing to the choir!

[tridim]

3. I wonder what state will be the last to keep its citizenry from getting MMJ?

Obviously it'll be a regressive red state. Utah? Oklahoma? Kansas? Louisiana?

[harun]

6. I think you are right on the money with those 4, LOL.

[jmowreader]

14. It will be North Carolina

This state still charges sales tax on groceries. Utah will have medical marijuana long before this place does.

[AlbertCat]

27. It will be North Carolina

I dunno.... There certainly is a lot of pot grown in NC.

[jmowreader]

29. You saw Reefer Madness, right?

"Marihuana is grown in every state in the Union."

[Lethe]

20. Texas

any bets?

[Pacifist Patriot]

34. My money's on Florida.

[Politicalboi]

4. Yes Weed Can!

[dysfunctional press]

5. Yes We Cannabis.

nt

[lies and propaganda]

10. absolute LOL!

that was perfection!

[navarth]

7. Good on ya, Illinois!!

K & R.

Yes weed can.

Yes we cannabis.

[Soylent Brice]

8. WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!

K&R

one step closer...

[Wizard777]

9. Welcome to the club!

[jb5150]

11. I was just wondering

is a hangnail considered a serious condition? It's really painful, and I haven't been eating very well.

:hide:

[tridim]

15. If you're being serious, Anbesol is a great hangnail pain reliever.

The stuff you use for a toothache.

Cannabis, not so much.

[Uncle Joe]

12. Kicked and recommended for common sense, sane, freedom loving,

fiscally responsible, Bill of Right respecting Drug Law reform.:thumbsup:

Thanks for the thread, dysfunctional press.

[Roon]

13. That's all fine and dandy

But if you are sick,you generally can't afford the license fee let alone the pot. I live in Denver and I find that you are better off just demanding a jury trial when you get caught,then paying 100.00 or whatever a year for the permit. They will drop the charges....always...

[abq e streeter]

16. a slippery slope; 1st this , next it'll be people giggling inexplicably while watching teletubbies

in their living rooms...but seriously, I hope and pray some sanity and compassion is starting to take hold regarding allowing people to alleviate pain and suffering without worrying about DEA goons arresting them.

[AlbertCat]

28. people giggling inexplicably while watching teletubbies

Better that than getting all serious-like over Fox News.

[anonymous171]

17. Sweet. nt

[bluesmail]

18. One state at a time and one stage at a time.

Eventually it will be legal like alcohol and nicotine (ick).

[Christa]

19. K & R

:smoke:

Pass the Dutchie :hi:

[jb5150]

22. But only

On the left hand side............:)

[Christa]

32. Here you go

:pals: :smoke:

[RadiationTherapy]

21. Success.

Continue!

[valerief]

23. Bravo!

:applause:

[Kajsa]

24. Good going, Illinois!

We FINALLY got the Feds off our backs, regarding
the MM dispensaries. No More Raids!
Thank you, Eric Holder.

This is great, hopefully more states will join in soon.

We need to legalize pot, PERIOD!

[NM Independent]

25. Outstanding. Yes We Cannabis. n/t

[Oldenuff]

26. Thats great news for

Ill patients in Illinois,and good news for MMJ patients everywhere.

[dysfunctional press]

30. this is one chronic pain patient who 'd love to get his chronic legally for a change.

i hope they get moving on the legislation- and i really hope it can come to pass.

[defendandprotect]

31. Great ..!

[pleah]

33. K&R

:smoke:

[Pacifist Patriot]

35. Brilliant!