Medical Marijuana snuffed out at Illinois Capitol

Medical marijuana bill stalls in Illinois House - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

Had it passed, Illinois would have became the 16th state to legalize medical marijuana, but if fell short by just seven votes.

Our very own local State Representative in the 97th district, Jim Watson was one of legislators who voted "no." Thanks Jim for giving us another reason not to re-elect you, when the time comes.

Even though the Illinois senate passed the bill last year, the Illinois house voted it down today. It needed sixty votes to pass an only got fifty three. Click the link above for full story and how local legislators voted.

Supporters of the failed bill even brought in former talk show host Montel Williams to lobby for legalizing medical marijuana. Williams says he uses medical marijuana to help ease the pain caused by multiple sclerosis. Montel left Springfield and headed to New York a little disappointed. (source).

Here is one of State Rep. Lou Lang's passionate pleas on the house floor for medical marijuana in Illinois. The awesome speech is under four minutes and worth watching. Educate yourselves!

Hearing Set for Springfield's 'Medical Marijuana Club' Operator

On Wednesday an Illinois state House committee approved legalizing medical marijuana. House Bill 2514, still has to be approved by the House and Senate and signed by the governor before it becomes law.

Apparently a Springfield man, Scott Carriere, couldn't wait and announced the formation of his medical marijuana club, which he said has three members, to the media early Wednesday. I nearly fell out of my chair, when I saw him being interviewed on the news! It was like a free advertisement for his new business. What a dumb ass!

Dan Linn of the Chicago-based Illinois Cannabis Patients Association said Thursday his organization had never heard of Carriere , and that Carriere’s claims had given a “black eye” to legitimate efforts to legalize marijuana for medical use.

Citing his group’s victory in getting the bill out of committee Wednesday, Linn said he thinks Carriere was “confused about what actually happened yesterday.” Yeah, he was confused alright!

About 15 minutes before narcotics agents raided his house at 7 p.m., Carriere spoke by phone with a State Journal-Register reporter in defense of his club, which he said charged membership fees. As always, click the title link for the full story and the Springfield man's real picture.