Illinois medical marijuana bill narrowly defeated in Senate 22-29

A bill that would have protected seriously ill patients from arrest for using medical marijuana was narrowly defeated on the Senate floor today. Sen. John Cullerton's (D-Chicago) medical marijuana bill SB 650 would have allowed Illinoisans with certain debilitating medical conditions to have legal access to medical marijuana if recommended by their physician.

Although this is not the first time the Illinois Senate has considered medical marijuana legislation, it is the first time that it has received a vote on the floor. The fact that 22 senators voted in favor of this legislation is a good sign, but there is still a lot to do in Illinois before such legislation can be passed. A total of four senators voted "present," showing that they were undecided.

The fight for compassion in Illinois is not over.

Please send your senator an e-mail asking him or her how they voted on the bill. If your representative responds that they voted yes, thank them. If your representative responds that they voted no, ask them why and if they will reconsider next time.

Please e-mail Nathan Miller at Nathan@mpp.org to report any feedback your senator gives you.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this message along to your friends and family in Illinois so that others will become involved in reform.