Patient advocates believe the stars are aligned perfectly for this to be the year medical marijuana finally becomes a reality in Illinois.

Dennis nearly lost the lower portion of his right leg when the trencher he was working with unexpectedly hit a metal beam in the ground, causing the blade to jump up, catching the bridge of his foot and slicing his leg all the way up to the knee.

In the five-and-a-half years since his accident, he's undergone two surgeries on his leg, one of which involved using chemicals to destroy nerves, and had an electronic stimulating device implanted near his spine to help ease sensations he describes as "pins and needles." But none of it has worked very well.

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