Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill Passage Prospects Good, Says Rep. Lou Lang

(Springfield, IL) – November 29, 2010. House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) today said that he will call medical marijuana legislation for a vote in the Illinois House on Tuesday.

Lang said that the prospects for passage of  the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, Senate Bill 1381, are good.

“This legislation is intended to alleviate pain in people suffering debilitating medical conditions, such as cancer, and I believe a majority of lawmakers recognize that and that the prospects for passage are good,” Lang said.

Governor Pat Quinn has said he would consider signing the legislation if it reaches his desk.

Under Lang’s legislation, a patient would have to submit to the Illinois Department of Public Health a physician’s written certification that the patient would be likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from cannabis and that the patient has a qualifying medical condition, for example:

• HIV/AIDS
• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• ALS, Hepatitis C
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Epilepsy

Lang said, “No one should be denied a health care treatment that might improve their quality of life.”