MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILLS PENDING IN STATEHOUSE

Proposed measures that would legalize the use of marijuana for
medicinal purposes in Illinois are typically introduced each session
in Springfield.

This year, two similar proposals were introduced and both gained some
traction.

Senate Bill 1381 would allow people with a doctor's permission to be
eligible for a state registry card allowing up to six marijuana plants
in their homes and 2 ounces of "usable cannabis." If approved, the
measure would expire after three years.

That measure was approved 30-28 on May 27 by the Senate. It was also
passed out of a House committee, but the 118 member House has yet to
take final action on it.

On May 31, the final action deadline for the measure was extended to
Nov. 30, 2009, according to the Web site of the Illinois General Assembly.

A similar measure, House Bill 2514, passed a House committee in March
but the full house has not taken action on it.

State Sen. Brad Burzynski, R-Rochelle, voted against the measure. He
did not immediately return a phone call Tuesday seeking comment.

State Rep. Robert Pritchard, R-Hinckley, said he is concerned that the
proposed legislation would not control production of marijuana. He
believes that the drug can be harmful, and that those who start using
it will then move on to more lethal and potent drugs.

"My concern is that when you make something available, you create an
aura that it's safe and you'll have more young people experimenting
with it," he said.