Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill Fails 53-59

(Springfield, IL) – November 30, 2010. House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) today witnessed the Illinois medical marijuana legislation, which he has championed for two-years, fall short in an Illinois House vote today, losing 53-59-1.

In a parliamentary maneuver, Lang kept the measure, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, Senate Bill 1381, alive by reserving the right to call it again if additional legislative backing can be found. Under the procedure, known as “postpone consideration”, there is no official record of lawmakers’ individual votes. At one point, the bill had reached 56 “yes” votes before settling at 53.

“This legislation is intended to alleviate pain in people suffering debilitating medical conditions, and I intend to pursue passage of this bill until that goal becomes a reality,” 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

“No one should be denied a health care treatment that might improve their quality of life,” Lang said. “Unfortunately, a majority of lawmakers currently disagree with that position.”