PASS MEDICINAL CANNABIS LAW

Hopefully Illinois lawmakers can join 12 other states in protecting
some of the most vulnerable members of society by granting them access
to an alternative form of treatment, medical cannabis. While some
might think that medical cannabis is a joke, for those who consume the
plant for their day to day functioning it is no laughing matter.

Illinois lawmakers should pass Senate Bill 2865 and let doctors and
patients decide what treatment is best for their condition. The act
would allow for the compassionate use of cannabis by those whose
doctors recommend using the plant. The bill has been amended to limit
the amount of patients to just 1,200 statewide and would be
administered by the Dept. of Public Health. Plus, it will expire three
years after enacted, so any concerns of it being de facto legalization
or sending the wrong message to children are wrong.

The American College of Physicians released a position paper
supporting patients' rights and access to medical cannabis.
Furthermore, the ACP also urged a review of cannabis as a schedule 1
controlled substance.

Recently the student section of the American Medical Association also
voiced their support for medical cannabis. Other leading medical
organizations such as the American Nurses Association, Illinois Nurses
Association, Chicago AIDS Foundation, American Academy of HIV
Medicine, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, all support the medical use
of cannabis.

Illinois needs to protect cannabis patients from arrest so please
support this bill because so many can benefit from this program.

Dan Linn, Executive director

Illinois chapter, National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws