It is time to make Illinois the 12th state to protect sick and dying medical cannabis patients! Sen. John J. Cullerton (D-Chicago) introduced S.B. 650, which would remove criminal penalties for the doctor-advised, medical use of cannabis. NORML is pleased to announce that Senate Bill 650, an act to authorize the medical use of cannabis for qualifying Illinois patients, has been introduced in the state legislature and referred to the Senate Rules Committee. If approved, this proposal would allow authorized patients, under a physician's supervision, to possess up to two and a half ounces of cannabis and/or twelve plants for therapeutic purposes.

To deny an effective medication to the sick in order to "send a strong message to kids" against drug abuse is cruel and unconscionable, and improperly interferes with the relationship between a patient and his/her physician.  We already allow the medical use of many drugs, such as cocaine and morphine, which can be abused in a non-medical setting. Basic compassion and common sense demand that we allow the seriously ill to use whatever safe medication is most effective.

Though legislators debated the merits of a similar bill last year, the Senate Rules Committee ultimately failed to take action on it.  Do not let Senate Bill 650 meet a similar fate. Please take two minutes of your time to write your Illinois state senator as well as members of the Senate Rules Committee and tell them how important it is that they protect the lives of Illinois patients. This is a perfect opportunity to educate your senators and to let them know that voters care eeply about this issue.

Make your voice heard here:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=9354891&type=ML

Read the full text of the bill:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=51&GA=95&DocTypeId=SB&DocNum=0650&GAID=9&LegID=28507&SpecSess=&Session=

Bill status:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=650&GAID=9&GA=95&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=28507&SessionID=51

If you are a medical professional or law enforcement officer that is interested in this issue, or a patient who could benefit from the medical use of cannabis, please visit www.illinoisnorml.org and www.idealreform.org to find out more about what you can do to move this legislation forward.