Politics & Government

Gov. Pat Quinn Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Marijuana

Illinois is now the 20th state to legalize the controversial substance.

Written by Editor Karen Sorensen

It's official. Medical marijuana is now legal in Illinois, according to the Huffington Post.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the bill into law Thursday afternoon at the University of Chicago, making Illinois the 20th state to legalize medical marijuana.

"I feel that this is something, whatever faith we practice, we all believe that helping those who are sick, helping them recover and also helping them deal with pain, that's a tenet in every faith and every religion," the Governor told NBC Chicago.

A four-year pilot program comes next, and it will go into effect Jan. 1. People with serious diseases will be allowed to get a special card allowing them to buy up to two-and-a-half ounces of marijuana from their choice of 60 state-licensed dispensaries. 

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Getting a medical marijuana card is no walk in the park, however. Illinois' new medical marijuana law is said to be the strictest in the country, and it requires patients have a history with their doctor prior to getting a prescription.

Also according to the Post, Chicagoland's first clinic that plans to offer medical marijuana will open on Aug. 7 in Wicker Park, though it will not actually be allowed to dispense the drug until 2014.

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Tell Us: Do you support the legalization of medical marijuana? Share your thoughts in the comments.


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