Illinois Senate Approves Medical Marijuana, Awaits Governor’s Signature

Illinois would be the 19th state to legalize medical marijuana.

The state Senate voted 35-21 in favor of the bill early Friday afternoon, despite concerns expressed by some opposing lawmakers — particularly Republican state Sen. Kyle McCarter — that marijuana is a “gateway drug” to usage of other, more dangerous drugs.

But the bill’s Senate sponsor, Sen. Bill Haine, an Alton Democrat, emphasized that the bill “is filled with walls” to ensure the public’s safety, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The bill was approved last week by the Senate Executive Committee and was already OKed by the state House. The proposal next needs the signature of Gov. Pat Quinn, who previously said he is “open-minded” about it.

By: Cheston Catalano

Cheston Catalano is a Kentucky-based journalist whose work has been featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. He is a long-time contributor to Liberaland.