Progressives hoping to see their agenda advanced in the Illinois General Assembly this winter were dealt a blow Tuesday, as medical marijuana legislation did not receive the 60 votesrequired to pass. Sponsor Lou Lang pulled the bill to keep it alive for future consideration.

Senate Bill 1381, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, passed the State Senate in May of last year. But if Lang is unable to gain more votes for it in the House this session, as appears likely, it will have to start all over in the next legislature.

The bill would have allowed access to marijuana for the chronically ill; patients would need a license from state public health officials and permission from a doctor under its provisions. It would have been a trial, and would face another vote three years after passage.

Opponents argued that restrictions in the bill were too lax. From the Fox Valley Sun:

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