cannabisnews.com: Legislators Consider Medical Marijuana Bill Legislators Consider Medical Marijuana Bill Posted by CN Staff on March 04, 2009 at 10:14:37 PT By Kevin Lee, The Daily Journal Springfield Bureau Source: Daily Journal Springfield, IL -- Chronically ill Illinois residents should be able to request a potent form of medicine: marijuana. At least that's the contention of state lawmakers pushing medical marijuana legislation.Lawmakers are considering a law that would allow limited amounts of marijuana to be dispensed to patients with a doctor's recommendation. Dispensaries and patients would have to register with the state's Department of Public Health before participating in the program. If passed, the legislation would allow marijuana to be used as treatment for long-term illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, and multiple sclerosis, said state Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, the sponsor of the bill."This is a very controlled piece of legislation that allows people who need it, and only people who need it, to relieve their discomfort," he said.State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, did not see the need for medicinal marijuana."I talked to some optometrists about it for the treatment of glaucoma, and there are 50 different things they can use that don't have the after-effects to the lungs as well," he said.The proposed legislation revisits long-running questions on marijuana's medicinal value and how the drug should be regulated.Supporters cite a 1999 study by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences that found that marijuana can be used to ease symptoms of chronically-ill patients.Marijuana should still be considered a "gateway" drug, not as a medicine, according to Judy Kreamer, president of a Naperville-based drug education non-profit, Educating Voice."There is no such thing as a proper dosage. When was the last time you took a medication for which there was no dosage or quality control?" she said.Politicians and law enforcement agencies at the federal and state level are unsure of how to regulate medicinal marijuana.Federal government prohibits any marijuana use, but 13 states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes, according to Bill Piper, director of national affairs for a national organization that supports legal recreational use of marijuana.Piper says federal and state laws cannot be reconciled, as seen last month when federal agents raided locally sanctioned medical marijuana dispensaries in California."The best way to solve the conflict is for the federal government to allow access to marijuana for medical use and give states broader authority to regulate," he said.U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said last week that President Barack Obama's administration will stop using federal resources to close medicinal marijuana dispensaries and give greater autonomy to states.State Rep. Lisa Dugan, D-Bradley, said she would not support the measure unless more extensive regulations are added to limit who receives marijuana and how much they receive.Lt. Scott Compton, spokesman for the Illinois State Police, said the proposed bill might cause complications with current DUI laws if passed. Illinois currently has a no-tolerance stand on driving with THC, marijuana's active ingredient, in the bloodstream.The proposed bill allows medical marijuana users to have THC in their bloodstream so long as it was "insufficient" to cause impairment, which could be difficult to determine without a benchmark, he said.State Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan wants strict regulations to discourage abuse, but says he understands the appeal of medical marijuana."I had some family members who had to take chemotherapy -- they got as sick as a dog. They didn't smoke marijuana, but if that would have helped them, I would have certainly thought it was appropriate," he said.Source: Daily Journal, The (IL)Author: Kevin Lee, The Daily Journal Springfield BureauPublished: March 04, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Daily Journal Publishing Co., L.L.C.Contact: editorial daily-journal.comWebsite: http://www.daily-journal.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/YEZOrXpPRelated Articles:Legislation Would Legalize MJ for Certain Peoplehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24493.shtml Medical Marijuana Gets Supporthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23747.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by itsonlyaplant on March 04, 2009 at 17:55:52 PT IDIOT !! State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, did not see the need for medicinal marijuana."I talked to some optometrists about it for the treatment of glaucoma, and there are 50 different things they can use that don't have the after-effects to the lungs as well," he said.IDIOT !!!! Have you ever heard of oral administration? I SOOOOO Hate it when prohibs use that same old tired $$3d "reasoning". I personally prefer oral admin as opposed to inhalation. I mean if you need break through pain relief, inhalation is definitely a very quick and effective route of administration. There are also topical, sublingual, etc. Come on people if you're going to be against it AND you want it to stay illegal at least give us a good reason. As far as the "50 other medications", how many of them cause untoward effects on their users? What are these side effects Mr. Mautino? Do you even know? How many of those meds have black box status? Do you even know? Is one of these meds going to cause me to have a stroke? Am I going to be impotent after I take these miracle drugs you recommend? Am I going to have to sacrifice my psychomotor integrity for my vision after I take this poison? Or is it easier to just poo poo on something that is possibly THE most benign healing substance in the world? I bet I know the answer the estimed representative would give or at least thinks. MAN it just boils my blood. Overdependence on pharma is a cancer on modern society, yes they have exact measures of dosages, so what. How many micrograms of drug X does it take to damage you versus how many POUNDS of cannabis to do the same damage? The answer is.....you can't DIE FROM CANNABIS !!!!! Well, rant over, be well and enjoy your sacrament, medicine, or whatever you need. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on March 04, 2009 at 12:56:17 PT Sam That's a very good answer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Sam Adams on March 04, 2009 at 12:48:41 PT medicine "There is no such thing as a proper dosage. When was the last time you took a medication for which there was no dosage or quality control?" she said.This morning, 730 AM, Astralagus, Oregeon Grape Root, Elecampane - Herb Pharm tinctures [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on March 04, 2009 at 12:30:26 PT fight_4_freedom It will be easier now. I don't know when ads started on Google for medical marijuana but it was around the time of the AG's comment. Up until recently nothing related to anything that was considered illegal was allowed as an ad on Google unless I totally missed it but I doubt that since I use Google so much. That must mean that medical marijuana is slowly being removed from the illegal list I would think. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by fight_4_freedom on March 04, 2009 at 12:16:24 PT Now with Obama telling the Feds to back off, it will be much easier for other states to progress with legislation. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on March 04, 2009 at 11:28:09 PT Medical Marijuana Bill Moves Ahead In State House March 4, 2009SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- (CBS) - A state House committee on Wednesday passed a bill that will legalize medical marijuana in Illinois if approved.HB 2514, also called the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, passed the state House Human Services Committee 4-3, according to an aide for State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), who is sponsoring the bill.URL: http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/medical.marijuana.bill.2.950302.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 04, 2009 at 10:52:35 PT OT: The Manhattan Project of Marijuana http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/the_manhattan_project_of_marijuana/Content?oid=936926 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 04, 2009 at 10:47:13 PT fight_4_freedom Yes it is. I still am amazed at how the medical marijuana movement is going these days. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by fight_4_freedom on March 04, 2009 at 10:28:30 PT This movement is gaining momentum with each passing day. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 04, 2009 at 10:15:45 PT Dispensaries Now Too! Excerpt: Dispensaries and patients would have to register with the state's Department of Public Health before participating in the program. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment