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Illinois Approves Mmj


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SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Reuters) - The Illinois Senate on Friday voted to approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes, which if signed into law would make it the second-most-populous state in the nation after California to allow the drug's use for medical purposes.

 

The bill, approved by the Illinois House in April, now moves to Governor Pat Quinn's desk to await his signature. Quinn has indicated he is sympathetic to the bill, especially as it would benefit injured veterans.

 

"We fully expect Gov. Quinn to do the compassionate thing and sign the bill," said Dan Riffle, deputy director of government relations for the Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project.

 

Riffle said marijuana has proven medical benefits and there is broad public and legislative support for its medical use.

 

The Illinois bill passed by a vote of 35-21 after an emotional, hour-long debate in which some Republicans said they opposed legalizing medical marijuana because it could be a "gateway drug" to abuse of other illegal substances.

 

Others said they were not convinced that the benefits of smoking marijuana for certain medical conditions outweighed the potential negative consequences.

 

Democratic State Senator Bill Haine, a former county prosecutor and the bill's sponsor, said it is the toughest in the nation. He noted that doctors' groups had endorsed the bill.

 

"It is a substance which is much more benign than powerful prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, Vicodin and the rest," Haine said, referring to frequently abused painkillers. "The scourge of these drugs is well-known. This is not true of the medical use of marijuana."

 

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, according to Riffle. The Project does not count Maryland, since its law requires the participation of academic medical centers and will not be implemented until 2015. Colorado and Washington state voters decided last fall to allow recreational use of cannabis.

 

Under the four-year pilot program outlined in the Illinois bill, patients would have to be diagnosed with one of 33 debilitating medical conditions, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis or HIV/AIDS. Patients must register with the state's health department and have written certification from their physicians.

 

Patients would be limited to 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of marijuana every two weeks. The marijuana must be grown and distributed in Illinois, kept in a closed container, and not used in public or in front of minors.

 

Those who use, grow or sell the drug must be fingerprinted and undergo background checks. Landlords and employers could ban its use on their property. Users suspected of driving under the influence face the loss of not only their driving privileges, but also their marijuana-use permits.

 

Under U.S. federal law, marijuana is considered an addictive substance and distribution is a federal offense. Federal law prohibits physicians from writing prescriptions, so many have issued "referrals" or "recommendations."

 

The administration of President Barack Obama has discouraged federal prosecutors from pursuing people who distribute marijuana for medical purposes under state laws.

 

Riffle said that New Hampshire and New York are the next states that could legalize medical marijuana.

 

 

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Here is more through the state website

http://www.ilga.govlegislationBillStatus.aspDocNum=0001&GAID=12&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=68357&SessionID=85&SpecSess=&Session=&GA=98

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Heres the one that bothers me.

 

 They have to submit fingerprints and background checks to simply be a patient,... and felons are forbidden from being patients.

 

 No home growing and only can get it from a dispensary. No affirmative defenses. Any marijuana not bought at the dispensary is still illegal.

 

Bleh.

 

It is a crappy law,... but hey,... one step in some direction.

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Heres the one that bothers me.

 

 They have to submit fingerprints and background checks to simply be a patient,... and felons are forbidden from being patients.

 

 No home growing and only can get it from a dispensary. No affirmative defenses. Any marijuana not bought at the dispensary is still illegal.

 

Bleh.

 

It is a crappy law,... but hey,... one step in some direction.

 

Well .. it is also the first state law to recognize topical oils ..

 

Looking for an IL rep for peanutbutters topical oil.

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Heres the one that bothers me.

 

 They have to submit fingerprints and background checks to simply be a patient,... and felons are forbidden from being patients.

 

 No home growing and only can get it from a dispensary. No affirmative defenses. Any marijuana not bought at the dispensary is still illegal.

 

Bleh.

 

It is a crappy law,... but hey,... one step in some direction.

 

 

And maybe the voters of Illinois can make some changes... and it's one more state getting in the show.

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THis is definitely good news.  I did not read thru it but it shows that Legalization will be coming within the next 10-15 years for sure.  Once enough states are on board congres must get off theur fuxing as-es and do something.  it seems Congress is just a bunch of retards that gether to see what they can push over the public's eyes then blame each other when shiet gets all fuxed up.

 

Congress is as much of a joke as Bush was and Obaminator is.  Same old show just a different twist.

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Do I recall correctly that this was up for a vote last year and the dispensary interests stopped it because it didn't require all patients to obtain their med via their stores?  I see that road block was corrected and it passed.

 

Financial interests stop home growing again.  The new 'Big Pharma'.

 

Dr. Bob

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Do I recall correctly that this was up for a vote last year and the dispensary interests stopped it because it didn't require all patients to obtain their med via their stores? I see that road block was corrected and it passed.

 

Financial interests stop home growing again. The new 'Big Pharma'.

 

Dr. Bob

yes indeed. arizona is crazy, and nevada has a bill up right now that eliminates cg/pat grows if within a certain radius, and wa is limiting the system, and co eliminated cg/pat grows from partaking- only reason co grows didnt get limited is because it is constituionally protected, the right to grow.

 

i hear they are trying this here too.

 

funny, as 95% of the largr commercial ops are either very poorly run & have moldy, buggy plants, or they are equally poorly run and resort to commercial grade fungicides & pesticides. it is very difficult and expensive to run large operations, and requires a lot of experience to do, esp wo the use of chemical sprays. it is exponentially more difficult as one voes bigger- small problems compound into massive ones.

 

commercial, very large productions, are driven by economics, at the end of each business day. decisions are made from economic imperatives, not aroumd the quality of the goods produced. quality only factors in as a base, minimally acceptable product that can sell within acceptable margins- and then it is a matter of getting as much of it as possible.

 

it isnt impossible to have a large production of medical grade herbs, but it is incredibly expensive and complicated to do. usually, much more than the people imvolved are aware and/or capable of addressing.

 

the best quality of wares comes from smaller to mid-sized ventires where a great deal of conscientious effort can be applied on a dailly basis, where the owner/operator cares abput producing the best quality product, darn the costs. well, actually that cost is a factot, but much more manageable on a smaller scale.

 

ironic the dispensaries claim cg grown meds is' unsafe'. lol

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