Thank you for your correspondence concerning medicinal marijuana, I appreciate hearing your comments.  This topic was of great debate in Springfield prior SB650’s defeat and its reintroduction as SB2865, which remains in rules, as there is no majority support.

Senate Bill 650, sponsored by Senator John Cullerton, would authorize qualifying patients who possess a registry identification card, issued under a protocol established through the Department of Public Health, to have up to 12 cannabis salvia plants and 2.5 ouches of usable cannabis in their possession for medical treatment purposes authorized by a physician.   

Although this legislation is a work in progress, I want to highlight some of my reasons for yet opposing this bill.  First, the legislation permits individuals to have up to 12 cannabis salvia plants and 2.5 ouches of usable cannabis in their possession, which many individuals agreed was simply too much.  Additionally, despite compelling testimony numerous organizations signed in as opponents to the legislation – including the Illinois State Police, the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society.

Thank you again for contacting me regarding this matter, I appreciate hearing your comments and concerns.  If I can be of any further assistance or if you would like to be kept apprised of the future progress of this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warmest regards,

Senator Pamela J. Althoff