MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE CLOSER TO BECOMING LEGAL IN ILLINOIS

On Wednesday, the Illinois Senate Public Health committee passed HB
2514 that would allow seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana
and not have to worry about being arrested for possession of an
illegal substance.

The bill is the first of its kind in Illinois and now awaits a vote
from the Illinois House.

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), is the sponsor of the bill, which
passed by a vote of 6-3. And state Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), a
supporter of the bill, said the bill is needed to help those who are
critically ill.

"This is an important step for suffering Illinoisans who rely on
medical cannabis because they, in consultation with their doctors,
have determined it is the best treatment available to them," Haine
said.

"I'm grateful to my colleagues in the public health committee who
listened to science and reason today and made the sensible,
compassionate decision to pass this bill."

Some HIV patients like Jamie Clayton are hoping the bill will soon
become law.

"I don't want to use marijuana, but it is the only thing that
relieves the crippling nerve pain that comes with my treatments for
HIV/AIDS," Clayton said. "The only question is whether patients like
me will continue to be prosecuted for using a medicine that works or
whether our elected officials will acknowledge available scientific
evidence and the will of their constituents and vote in favor of this
legislation."