Disability News Service, Resources, Diversity, Americans with Disabilities Act; Local and National.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Illinois Medical marijuana measure fails in Illinois House : May 05 2011

Chicago Tribune : Posted by Ray Long

SPRINGFIELD --- The Illinois House today voted down a proposal that would have legalized marijuana for medical use.

The measure got 53 votes, but needed 60 to pass. House Republican leader Tom Cross came on board, but supporters still could not muster enough votes.

Sponsoring Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, said the proposal was aimed at people in pain who “need a little help from us.”

He called on longtime opponents to “take their heels out of the sand” and “vote your own conscience.”

“It’s not about drugs. It’s not about marijuana. It’s about health care,” Lang said, pointing to the House gallery, where supporters stood.

But one of the toughest arguments against the legislation came from a former FBI agent, Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica.

“I am adamantly opposed to the bill, and I base that on 30 years of law enforcement,” Sacia said. “Put it in a pill form, regulate it by the FDA, I will support your bill.”

Cross, a former prosecutor from Oswego, said he decided to support the measure because it was stricter than a previous bill that Lang tried but failed to pass a few months ago in the previous General Assembly.

Cross maintained he consulted with doctors and nurses who assured him that some sick people can only get relief from marijuana. He also noted that the use of marijuana would be limited to people with 19 specific illnesses that range from lupus to cancer.

Doses would have been dispensed from a limited number of highly regulated not-for-profits, rather than drugstores. Penalties including potential prison time were aimed at discouraging attempts to turn a medical prescription into dime bags on the street.

After the vote, Lang said he will continue to try to build support for the measure with the hope of passing legislation before lawmakers leave for summer break.

As the bill failed, Jim Champion of Somonauk watched from his wheelchair in the House gallery. He said he was “deflated” by the vote because he has suffered from multiple sclerosis for 23 years and marijuana is the only thing he has used to control his symptoms without horrible side effects.

But because marijuana is illegal, Champion currently is on methadone, the latest in a long list of legal prescriptions. He said he could move to a state like Michigan or California, where medical marijuana is legal, but Illinois is his home and he wants to stay.

During debate, Lang pointed to Champion, a U.S. Army veteran who said he worked with Lang to craft a bill that would pass.

Champion said he often has people come up and thank him for his service, but he feels the thanks aren’t warranted because he has to break the law to use marijuana.

"I feel like a criminal. I don't feel like an honored veteran," Champion said. "I don't, and my state's doing it to me."

The Tribune wrote about the issue last month.

1 comment:

Beth said...

It's a shame they won't legalize medical marijuana for the use of patients like those described in your article. Maybe some day.