Governor Pat Quinn has legalized medical marijuana in Illinois.
The Governor signed the bill Thursday in Chicago. Illinois becomes the 20th state to allow the medical use of pot. State Representative Lou Lang of Skokie sponsored the legislation. He says medicinal pot is a good alternative for those suffering from diseases like cancer, m-s, and aids. Lang says currently those patients have to resort to strong drugs to help ease illness related pain.
Lang says the law has the toughest standards in the nation. Just 22 growing centers will be licensed by the state. The new law takes effect January 1st and is a four-year pilot program. Patients seeking to use medicinal pot need to have a doctor's order. Those eligible will be able to purchase up to two and a half ounces of marijuana every two weeks.
Patients with one of 35 medical conditions will be eligible starting January 1 to get up to two and a half ounces of cannabis every 14 days.