Medical Marijuana News

“bullet” New Hampshire Senate passed its medical marijuana bill 14-10.
“bullet” Illinois religious leaders call for medical marijuana

More than 60 religious leaders in Illinois are calling on state senators this week to pass a bill that would allow patients to use medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation and without criminal consequences.
“Medical marijuana is an issue of mercy and compassion,” said Rev. Bill Pyatt of the First United Methodist Church of Carthage. “We pray that the Illinois legislature will have the compassion to stop this war on patients.”
Many religious leaders also hope the discussion about easing restrictions on marijuana use will widen the conversation about treating illegal drug use as a public health issue instead of a crime.
Religious proponents of the Senate bill, which is expected to be decided before Thursday, say although medical marijuana use and decriminalization of drug use are related, they are separate issues.

“bullet” Minnesota:

Minnesota‰s Senate just followed its New Hampshire counterpart with a medical marijuana victory of its own, passing its medical marijuana bill 36-28. The process in Minnesota is a little complicated: Today‰s vote was technically made by the Senate‰s Committee of the Whole, and needs an official vote that will probably take place later this week. But today‰s victory is a very good sign.

“bullet” Rhode Island

We just got word that the Rhode Island Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill, 35-2, that would establish ‹compassion centersŠ to provide medical marijuana to qualified patients, making access for the seriously ill far safer and more reliable.