The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act (SB 1381) had passed the Senate 30-28 last week and soared through the House Human Services Committee. It was waiting for a final reading and a vote on the House floor over the weekend, but tax legislation took top priority.

Sen. William Haine, D-Alton, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, keeps a positive outlook regarding the bill's chances when legislative sessions resume.

"It was dramatic that the bill got out of the Senate," Haine said. "We had a busy spring. This bill was one of hundreds. It had one of the highest profiles because it surrounded the whole debate on drugs and marijuana and came with a lot of baggage."

Still, Haine says medical evidence bodes well for patients and advocates and remains steadfast on his conviction that his restrictions will keep abuse from being a problem, any more than other prescription drugs are abused.

"Many of these questions were asked on the floor, about the potential for abuse," he said.

Haine spoke out against misinformation that marijuana is not a helpful drug or that this legislation will contribute to marijuana abuse.

"I have full confidence that the men and women at police departments around the state can enforce this without any trouble whatsoever," he said. "The 30 senators who voted for it voted for it in spite of similar comments around the state, (which are) based on fear. The scientific evidence is many doctors find it good for patients."

Haine said that the break between now and a possible vote in November (during a veto session) or January (when the General Assembly reconvenes) will mean more time to think on the issue. He encourages members of the Senate to contact doctors to learn more about it from a medical perspective.

Jamie Clayton, a longtime AIDS patient living in Grafton, said now is the time for education.

"We've got to keep it on people's minds and we've got to talk about it," he said. "I would hate to just stop. I think it's going to be important that we focus on this during the summer. Maybe now's the time we need to look into education."

Clayton said he is disheartened that some people still aren't pulling for options for patients like himself, who are in severe pain or are dying from diseases like AIDS or cancer.

"We're fighting for our lives," he said. "I should have died in 1996 but I didn't; I'm still here. We're not giving up and we're not going away."

Source: Alton Telegraph, The (IL)

Author: Laura Griffith, The Telegraph

Published: June 1, 2009

Copyright: 2009 The Telegraph

Contact: telegraph@thetelegraph.com

Website: http://www.thetelegraph.com

URL: http://drugsense.org/url/DZZt9YDr

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