GIVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA A CHANCE, BUT WITH STRICT LIMITS

Within the next few weeks, critically ill patients suffering from
multiple sclerosis, cancer, AIDS or other serious ailments might at
long last receive legislative permission to use medical marijuana.

We've long favored such a policy, but for most of the last decade
proposals to move forward with it have fallen short in the
statehouse. Now, despite a stumble in a test vote, the stars may
finally be aligned to ensure passage, with the current measure
attracting support from previously opposed House Republican Leader Tom Cross.

The former prosecutor reportedly has jumped on board in large part
because the bill being debated is significantly more strict than
those of years past, Sponsors say it will be far more limited than
the laws already on the books in 15 other states and the District of
Columbia. (If passed, this would supersede the 1978 law permitting
use in Illinois, which has essentially been stuck in purgatory
because the rules to implement it were never written.)

Restrictions would include an outright ban on patients actually
owning marijuana plants - a change from recent proposals here - with
the mandate that they purchase the drug only in tiny increments from
state-licensed dispensaries. The number of those would be capped both
statewide and by region of the state, to prevent mirroring the
problems California experienced when by some reports there grew to be
more pot-sales stores in Los Angeles than there were public schools.

Prescriptions would have to be renewed every two weeks by a doctor,
and patients who were using would be forbidden from getting behind
the wheel until they come down from their high. After three years,
lawmakers would have to revisit the matter to evaluate whether to
continue, tweak or scrap the legislation altogether.

For us, the bottom line is that the Legislature should not be in the
business of "limiting tools the medical community (needs) to treat
these diseases," as one GOP representative told the Chicago Tribune.
There is limited research supporting marijuana's use with some health
conditions. Even for the limited subset of illnesses this would be
authorized for, not every doctor will want to prescribe marijuana,
nor will all patients benefit from it. In any event, this call should
belong to doctors. Since many of the other available painkillers can
themselves be addictive or cause harsh reactions, marijuana may well
be a better option for some.

Basic human compassion for the sick and dying argues for not taking
anything off the table that might be able to alleviate suffering.
Lawmakers should pass this bill, then revisit it in a few years to
ensure it is being used as intended.