ALLOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Voters in Michigan approved a medical cannabis proposal, following 12
other states in allowing doctors to recommend cannabis for serious
medical conditions.

It should be noted that it passed in every county, too. This should
come as no surprise, since polling on the issue shows consistent
support for allowing sick people to use medical marijuana on the
recommendation of a physician.

In Illinois a lot of progress was made during the 2008 legislative
session with the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Pilot Program
bill.

SB 2865 picked up three new co-sponsors this year, and the bill's lead
sponsor, Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, sat down with law enforcement
to listen to their concerns and then amended the bill to address those
concerns.

The bill passed the Senate Public Health Committee with a 6-4 vote and
is now awaiting a vote on the Senate floor, which must take place by
Jan. 13, 2009, per legislative rule.

Ultimately, the decision of what medicine is best for an illness
should be left up to the patient and the doctor, not prosecutors and
police.

Dan Linn, executive director, Illinois NORML