The New Jersey Senate has approved a bill allowing chronically ill patients legal access to marijuana.

Advocates say medicinal marijuana has been shown to alleviate pain and nausea in patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS when other drugs fail. Critics claim the measure would condone and promote illegal drug use. The bill was approved 22-16, after about 15 minutes of discussion on the Senate floor today.

The New Jersey Assembly has not yet considered the measure.

If the legislation is approved, New Jersey would become the 14th state to allow medicinal marijuana.

Related coverage: Scott Ward, who has multiple sclerosis, tells reporter Brian Donohue medical marijuana is the only thing that relieves his pain.