Doctors Ask For Medical Marijuana Legalization
From the Associated Press
Nearly 250 Illinois physicians put their names behind a proposal Tuesday that would legalize marijuana for patients with serious illnesses, hoping to give a boost to the legislation one day before an anticipated vote on the House floor.
Three of those doctors spoke at a press conference in Chicago, saying the drug can be a safer and more effective treatment than narcotics for patients with diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease and HIV.
They were joined by Julie Falco, a 47-year-old who has multiple sclerosis. Falco rose from her wheelchair with help from a fellow supporter to share the story of how marijuana helped ease pain and other symptoms so debilitating that she considered suicide. The narcotics she was prescribed made her feel worse, the Chicago woman said.
“You could be going through something, and would you not want to have that option ... Wouldn’t you want to try something instead of just going out without that option to have a better quality of life?” Falco said. “I beg you. Think about that.”
The Illinois House is expected to vote today on a bill that would create a medical marijuana pilot program. It would allow physicians who have an existing relationship with a patient to prescribe marijuana for certain conditions.
Patients would be limited to buying 2.5 ounces at a time from dispensaries licensed and regulated by the state. They would be prohibited from growing their own marijuana, and both patients and caregivers would have to undergo a background check.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Associated Press
Nearly 250 Illinois physicians put their names behind a proposal Tuesday that would legalize marijuana for patients with serious illnesses, hoping to give a boost to the legislation one day before an anticipated vote on the House floor.
Three of those doctors spoke at a press conference in Chicago, saying the drug can be a safer and more effective treatment than narcotics for patients with diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease and HIV.
They were joined by Julie Falco, a 47-year-old who has multiple sclerosis. Falco rose from her wheelchair with help from a fellow supporter to share the story of how marijuana helped ease pain and other symptoms so debilitating that she considered suicide. The narcotics she was prescribed made her feel worse, the Chicago woman said.
“You could be going through something, and would you not want to have that option ... Wouldn’t you want to try something instead of just going out without that option to have a better quality of life?” Falco said. “I beg you. Think about that.”
The Illinois House is expected to vote today on a bill that would create a medical marijuana pilot program. It would allow physicians who have an existing relationship with a patient to prescribe marijuana for certain conditions.
Patients would be limited to buying 2.5 ounces at a time from dispensaries licensed and regulated by the state. They would be prohibited from growing their own marijuana, and both patients and caregivers would have to undergo a background check.
Read more in our daily News Update...