Illinois on Verge of Allowing Medical Marijuana

The House in the State of Illinois approved a four-year pilot program to allow medical marijuana in April. Today it passed the state's Senate. Now it goes to Gov. Pat Quinn, who has not yet said whether he'll sign it or veto it or what. The Associated Press reports:

The proposal has been touted as the strictest in the nation among states that have legalized medical marijuana. It authorizes physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients with whom they have an existing relationship and who has at least one of more than 30 medical conditions listed on the measure.

Lawmakers voted 35-21 to send the measure to the Democratic governor. Quinn has declined to say whether he will support the bill, saying he's "open-minded" on the issue. Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, a former prosecutor, said she is in favor after meeting with patients, including veterans.

Quinn truly is one exasperating governor, isn't he? Does he need to start another web site to get people to tell him what to do?

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Comments

[A Serious Man]

I look forward to seeing how our favorite state figures out how to screw this up.

[jesse.in.mb]

Supporters of the legislation say it is a compassionate measure that could save patients from the agony caused by illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and HIV.

So you won't be able to wander to the Chicago equivalent of Venice Beach and tell someone in green scrubs that you have back pain and need a metric ton of pot?

Nicole will be distraught.

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

I prefer to avoid unnecessary interactions with the medical cartel, jesse. Don't be silly.

[Dweebston]

Can we get a "Fuck you, legalize it" meme going?

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, a former prosecutor, said she is in favor after meeting with patients, including veterans.

No, fuck you, legalize it.

[Concerned Citizen]

No, fuck you, RElegalize it!
Much more accurate.

[General Butt Naked]

What the hell is with stories randomly throwing "veterans" in?

[pmains]

MMJ is being used to treat PTSD. Veterans are sympathetic patients to use when selling these programs.

[Nikki makes the sign of a tsp]

IL is also on the verge--or not--of passing a really shitty may-issue carry law, according to the front page of today's Tribune. Guess what my favorite part is. There are significantly more restrictions on carrying in Chicago, and permit applicants in Chicago have to pay more than other residents for the permit!

(I think this goes down in the House, though, and the Trib says they still haven't appealed the decision, so they only have about three more weeks to pass something before we get constitutional carry.)

In semi-seriousness, if y'all were me, would you even bother calling your state senators/reps about this if you knew they were super-pro-gun-control? Is there any point?

[SIV]

In semi-seriousness, if y'all were me, would you even bother calling your state senators/reps about this if you knew they were super-pro-gun-control? Is there any point?

Absolutely. Call, write and email. Often.

[Generic Stranger]

Aren't the Chicago-specific restrictions likely to get the bill tossed, either in the legislature or in court?

I hope they managed to kill this bastard thing, and Illinois goes Constitutional Carry. The tears of the antis will be sweet.

[DaveSs]

Its not likely to pass the Senate even.

Absent a couple Illinois specific quirks like requiring a 3/5 majority to preempt home rule, and of course having the most pathetic excuse for a governor of any US state, we could easily have concealed carry law comparable to most other shall issue states.

The 3/5 majority and governor stupid are what keep it from happening.

[Suthenboy]

Politicians are not for or against anything on any issue. The only thing politicians are truly pro is 'vote for me'.
If enough people call and demand will issue CCPs, they will see the light.

[deified]

I'd say, "yes! Make that call."

You know why? Politicians who are strongly pro-gun control often get very freaked out by citizens who insist on their rights. Which is how it should be.

(If you can get Episiarch to ask me in his most seductive voice, I'll tell you the story about how i put a little scare into Frank Lautenberg shortly after his 149th birthday. It's a fun tale.)

[Paul.]

Who knows, the Obama administration flipped on Gay Marriage, maybe they'll flip on MJ legalization.

I'm in a more positive mood today. It's Friday afternoon.

[andrewclark01]

my roomate's sister makes $88 every hour on the computer. She has been out of a job for seven months but last month her pay check was $12176 just working on the computer for a few hours. Read more on this web site..... http://WWW.DAZ7.COM

[Generic Stranger]

Not everyone has the body to be a call girl, Andrew. Stop othering the fatties!

[BakedPenguin]

Does he need to start another web site to get people to tell him what to do?

It's Illinois, Scott. He's stalling for time until his team figures out what method will allow for the most graft.

[Rich]

Does Eric Holder know about this?

[WomSom]

I like the sound of that dude.

http://www.Prox-Anon.tk

[sam the man]

This bill is complete weak sauce. You have to have cancer or AIDS to even be considered for getting a prescription. And there's a limit on the amount of dispensaries. Leave it to the shitheads in Illinois to be liberal on everything but this issue.

[AF Col. Richardson]

In my humble opinion, it should only ever be legalized for medical instances in which it is the only (or one of few) effective/safe treatments for a condition or illness. As far as I know there are no apparent health hazards that come with it but we can't have a bunch of stoned idiots running around and endangering others. It would be fine if they stayed at home but that won't always happen. Better to be safe than sorry right?

But I'm sure there are definitive arguments on the other hand too, I just can't really think of any.