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ILLINOIS SENATE APPROVES MEDICAL MARIJUANA

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinoisans with particular serious diseases would be allowed to legally use medical marijuana under a plan approved by the state Senate today.

If Gov.  Pat Quinn signs off, Illinois doctors could start writing prescriptions for medical marijuana at the start of next year.

The Senate approved it by a 35-21 vote.

Patients would have to have one of 33 serious diseases to legally get marijuana in Illinois.  And the drug would have to be prescribed by a doctor who has had an ongoing relationship with the patient.

"It is not about recreational drug use," said state Sen.  Bill Haine, an Alton Democrat and the proposal's sponsor.

The legislation would allow for 60 marijuana dispensaries statewide.  And the law would be repealed automatically in four years, so lawmakers will have to weigh if it has worked or not in a few years.

Supporters argued Illinois' plan would be the most restrictive medical marijuana law in the country at a time when other states like Colorado have legalized the drug from recreational use.

Critics, though, say a medical marijuana law in Illinois would be gateway legislation that could lead to more sweeping legalization of the drug.  And they worry that the controls aren't tight enough to keep marijuana out of the hands of people that don't suffer from painful diseases.