Medical Marijuana Bill Heads To Quinn's Desk After Senate Approval

By Chuck Sudo in News on May 17, 2013 10:00PM

Illinoisans looking to turn to medical marijuana to treat their illnesses saw their dreams come a step closer to reality Friday after the Illinois Senate passed HB1, aka the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. If Gov. Pat Quinn signs the bill into law, Illinois would become the 19th state to approve medical use of cannabis.

The Senate approved the measure by a 35-21 vote after a spirited debate that lasted over an hour. Sen. William Haine (D-Alton), the bill’s chief sponsor, said the bill would provide relief for thousands of patients who want to use marijuana to treat the pain caused by their ailments, while also being one of the strictest medical marijuana programs in the country.

"We are confident a strict, controlled implementation of this for those who suffer pain with the diseases and conditions listed in the act can be well served," Haine said. "Many of us have anecdotal evidence of the value of this. Doctors' groups have endorsed this, nurses.

"It is a substance, which is much more benign than, for example, powerful prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, Vicodin and the rest. The scourge of these drugs is well known. This is not true of the medical use of marijuana," said Haine, a former state's attorney from Downstate Madison County.

HB1 would authorize 22 marijuana growers in Illinois and open 60 dispensaries across the state where users who suffer from a list of 33 ailments, including HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s Disease and cancer, to purchase 2.5 ounces of cannabis (with a doctor’s prescription) within a 14-day period.

Growers, sellers and users would have to undergo criminal background checks and fingerprinting. But users would be subject to field sobriety tests if police believe they’re under the influence of marijuana and could lose both their driving privileges and prescriptions. Landlords and employers could also prevent prescription holders from keeping cannabis out of their workplaces and buildings.

Much of the debate has centered on relieving the pain of the sick versus public safety. Haine said the restrictions to the pilot program, which would be implemented over a four year period, addresses safety concerns. Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) wasn’t swayed.

“For every touching story we have heard about the benefits to those in pain, I remind you today that there are a thousand time more parents who will never be relieved from the pain of losing a child due to addiction which in many cases started with the very illegal, FDA-unapproved addiction-forming drug that you are asking us to now make a normal part of our communities,” McCarter said.

The Illinois House passed the bill last month. Quinn has said he would be “open-minded” about signing the bill into law.