SENATE APPROVES MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL, SENDS IT TO HOUSE

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A measure legalizing medical marijuana finally
made it through the state Senate on Wednesday, but a major hurdle
remains before it can become Illinois law.

The Senate voted 30-28 for Senate Bill 1381, giving the measure right
at the 30 'yes' votes needed to pass. The measure would allow doctors
to prescribe cannabis to patients with diseases like AIDS and glaucoma.

Sen. Dale Righter, R-Charleston, raised concerns about the lack of
background checks for people who would handle the drugs. But Sen.
Bill Haine, the measure's sponsor, insisted only those who were
prescribed cannabis would have access to the drug.

"It is not intended to be a stealth legalization (of marijuana),"
said Haine, D-Alton.

The majority of senators who voted in favor of the measure said the
legalization of medical marijuana was about relieving suffering.

"Pharmaceuticals had no answer for the pain (my dad) had to go
through," said Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, as he choked back tears. "This
is about compassion. This is truly about compassion."

The measure now heads to the House. At a statehouse press conference
earlier in the year, Rep. Lou Lang said he was unsure how far any
medical marijuana measure would get in the House.

Lang sponsored a measure similar to the one passed out of the Senate
that died in the House earlier in the year.