Medical marijuana bill fails in Illinois House

Medical marijuana bill fails in Illinois House
Medical marijuana from the Netherlands. AP/Ministry of Health/HO
Medical marijuana bill fails in Illinois House
Medical marijuana from the Netherlands. AP/Ministry of Health/HO

Medical marijuana bill fails in Illinois House

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Legislation to legalize medial marijuana failed to pass Tuesday in the Illinois House.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), said the bill offers patients who have run out of options a chance to keep food down and relieve pain.

“Which one of us would say to our parent, ‘Sorry, mom. Sorry, dad. You can’t have this product, because I have a problem with it politically?‘” Lang asked in the House chamber.

As expected on such a controversial and closely watched topic, heated rhetoric was employed by both sides.

“It’s almost tantamount to looking at heroin, and saying, ‘Well, these pain pills aren’t working, so I think we should legalize heroin because it’s more powerful than the medication than I can get from my doctor,’” said state Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst).

With the bill a few votes short, Lang moved to postpone its consideration. That allows him to call it for another vote later in the veto session.