One day after the bill's sponsor, State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), said chances of passage were "good," legislation that would legalize the use of medical marijuana looks like it will not survive a vote in the House this morning. Before the roll call, Lang took to the podium in support of the bill and to rail against those who have suggested to him they will vote against it. "Make no mistake about it, this is not a bill about drugs," he said. "It's a bill about health care."
The bill (SB 1381), if signed into law, would create a three-year pilot program allowing the prescription of marijuana for patients with some debilitating health conditions. Lang said the legislation was just two votes shy of passage in May, but it never reached the House floor. In comments made to David Ormsby yesterday, Lang was optimistic the bill would pass this time around. "This legislation is intended to alleviate pain in people suffering debilitating medical conditions, such as cancer," he noted. "I believe a majority of lawmakers recognize that and that the prospects for passage are good."
Some celebrities had joined Lang in lobbying support for the legislation. Former talk show host Montel Williams was the most recent to back the bill, adding his name to the list that includes Bo Derek and former Chicago Bull Bill Cartwright. The bill would have made Illinois the 16th state to allow marijuana usa for medical puposes.
UPDATE (12:37 p.m.): Moments ago, the House rejected Lang's bill by a 53-59-1 margin. The sponsor has placed the bill on postponed consideration, meaning it can be taken up again in the future.
