Topic:
Medical marijuana
(Lang, D-Skokie) allows patients who suffer from a “debilitating medical condition” such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, or hepatitis C to use and possess small amounts of marijuana if approved by their regular physician. This three-year pilot project would make Illinois the 18th state to exempt from prosecution the use of cannabis for medical reasons. The Illinois Department of Public Health would regulate and oversee the program that allows a nonprofit dispensary to sell no more than 2.5 ounces of cannabis for a 14-day period to qualified patients. The number of dispensaries would be limited to no more than one in each of Illinois’ 59 Senate districts. It is in the House awaiting action.