BOSTON — Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill that would legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. BOSTON — Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill that would legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Sen. Stanley Rosenberg of Amherst and Brookline Rep. Frank Smizik are co-sponsoring the bill. They say it would establish a registration process for patients suffering from chronic or debilitating illnesses, such as cancer or AIDS.

A physician would need to confirm the condition in writing for a patient to receive marijuana from one of the 19 dispensaries planned under the bill.

Patients and dispensaries would be registered with the Department of Public Health, which would regulate the process.

Sufferers of chronic illness showed overwhelming support for the bill Tuesday at a hearing of the Legislature’s public health committee.