Government
Illinois Senate clears medical marijuana bill
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 8, 2009
Seriously ill patients in Illinois could gain access to medical marijuana with a physician's recommendation under a bill that narrowly passed the Illinois Senate May 27.
The legislation would shield patients from criminal prosecution for using cannabis, in conflict with federal law outlawing the drug. Qualified patients would be required to register with the state's Dept. of Public Health.
If the measure is approved, Illinois would join 13 other states that have legalized use of medical marijuana, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, which lobbies for such measures at the state and federal levels. The Illinois State Medical Society took no position on the bill.
At this article's deadline, the measure had been sent to a House committee.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/06/08/gvbf0608.htm.
