SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) — California lawmakers have passed a bill that prevents medical marijuana users from being denied organ transplants just because they use pot.

The state Senate on Monday passed AB258 by Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine of San Rafael on a 33-1 vote.

Supporters say some patients who use medical marijuana have been denied life-saving organ transplants because they are treated by doctors as drug abusers.

Levine’s bill would help medical marijuana users access organ transplants by prohibiting a hospital or doctor from disqualifying a person solely because of medical marijuana use.

Democratic Sen. Mark Leno of San Francisco presented the bill in the Senate and said it would save lives.

The bill has already cleared the Assembly and now heads to Gov. Jerry Brown for his consideration.

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