Politics & Government
Is Medical Marijuana Coming to Illinois? Bill Passes Senate Committee
Now, only Governor Pat Quinn stands in the way of Illinois legalizing medical marijuana, and he already said he's open to the idea, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Illinois lawmakers are poised to enact one of the toughest medical marijuana laws in the nation after a Senate committee moved a bill Wednesday allowing those with a limited list of illness to obtain a prescription for the drug.
The bill, which already passed through the Illinois House of Representatives, now lies in Gov. Pat Quinn's hands—and he's open to the proposal, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The Senate Committee voted 10-5 in favor of the bill even after law enforcement officials objected on the grounds that it does not include provisions for driving under the influence of marijuana, the Trib reported.
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The law would allow patients to obtain 2.5 ounces of marijuana every two weeks. Sixty pot dispensaries would be set up throughout the state.
The bill is sponsored by former State’s Attorney Bill Haine, a Democrat from Alton. He said the bill is not “an opening to legalization,” The Trib said.
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