Medical Marijuana Bill Poised for Illinois House Floor Vote
CONTACT: Bruce Mirken, MPP director of communications ............... 415-585-6404 or 202-215-4205
http://pr.cannazine.co.uk : SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS -- Although the clock ran out before it could be acted on by the Illinois House of Representatives this weekend, medical marijuana legislation is now well positioned for a House floor vote, possibly before the end of the year, advocates said today.
Within 48 hours of passing the Senate 30-28, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act had already soared through the House Human Services Committee and was ready for its final reading and vote on the House floor. Tax legislation, however, occupied all of the House's time in the session's final hours.
"This bill gained more and more momentum at every stage of the legislative process, and I think the pace at which it moved is testament to the support it enjoys," said Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), deputy majority leader and chief House sponsor of SB 1381.
"Although today's top priority was the tax bill, I think the time has come for Illinois to enact a medical marijuana law. We just need to shore up a few votes before calling this bill to the floor."
The measure could be brought to the House floor for a vote during the November veto session or when the General Assembly reconvenes in January 2010 for the second half of the current session.
"Of course I'm disappointed," said Jamie Clayton of Grafton, an AIDS patient who participated in a groundbreaking FDA-approved study proving medical marijuana's efficacy in treating pain caused by nerve damage.
"But the fact remains that we made it further than ever before. Hundreds of patients like myself came forward this year to plead with our legislators to enact this law, and we will not give up, ever. As someone who volunteered for a clinical study that proved the benefits of medical marijuana, I've felt the relief it can provide first-hand and learned how it can allow me to cut back on some of the prescription narcotics I have to take. A lot of people need this law, and we're not going away."
With more than 27,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org .
Supporting u since day one Although i myself do not use it i want it to be legalized C'mon man Alcohol, one of the most dangerous drugs on Earth is legal So i say that politicians can shove it up their asses and start to be honest for a change!
A key to success is going to be show how this is a win for all concerned. More or less every activity in America has some sort of financial hook to make it workable for society at large (think gas taxes for roads, property taxes for schools, fishing permits for wildlife management, etc.). A $100 per year permit for a dozen plants would provide some funding for health programs or education etc., and would be a big improvement over what we have now.
From: E. Johnson
Date: Saturday, June 06, 2009 14:11:26
To: reploulang@aol.com
Subject: Medical Marijuana
Dear Representative Lang,
I am forwarding this colloquy regarding the use of marijuana in order to relieve nerve pain.
I want to personally thank you for your efforts on behalf of persons like me who currently find themselves trapped in limbo between politics and medicine.
I am fervently hoping a mind-set recognizing common suffering and the need for compassionate relieve of that common suffering will carry the day toward a future, at which time, I may use marijuana to relieve pain without being labeled a criminal...or being in the dangerous precarious position of having to purchase medicine from actual criminals.
Again,thank you,Sir.
Eric K. Johnson
From: E. Johnson
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2009 5:24:48 PM
To: mccarter51@att.net
Subject: RE: Please support our patients!
Green/Eco/Environment 
