cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Bill Fails State Senate Medical Marijuana Bill Fails State Senate Posted by CN Staff on May 11, 2007 at 05:40:24 PT By Amber Ellis, Daily Herald Staff Writer Source: Daily Herald Springfield, Illinois -- Illinois lawmakers rejected a proposal Thursday that would have legalized medical marijuana, snuffing the first attempt in nearly 30 years to allow a drug some say is their only relief from the painful symptoms of debilitating diseases.The measure failed 22-29 in the state Senate with an overwhelming number of suburban legislators voting against it. As proposed, anyone with cancer, multiple sclerosis, AIDS or similar weakening conditions would have been able to use the drug. Caretakers could have access to it for their patients as well.Julie Falco is one of those people. An MS survivor, she testified before lawmakers earlier this year, saying she mixes marijuana into her brownie batches to help subdue her pain. The Chicago resident and others swear by the drug, claiming it eases discomfort and boosts their appetite.“I don’t think sick people should be treated like criminals,” said state Sen. John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat and sponsor of the plan.Opponents worried that their support would signal they’re soft on crime.State legislators approved a medical marijuana law in 1978, but it was halted amid political debates and other restrictions. Before Thursday, no other statewide action had been taken.If Cullerton is able to garner the 30-vote minimum, he says he’ll re-introduce the issue before month’s end.How your lawmakers voted: Springfield -- The Illinois Senate on Thursday rejected by a vote of 22-29, legislation that would have legalized marijuana for medical use.• Suburban senators supporting legalized medical marijuana:Don Harmon, Oak Park DemocratTerry Link, Waukegan DemocratMichael Noland, Elgin Democrat• Suburban senators opposed to legalizing medical marijuana:Pamela J. Althoff, McHenry RepublicanMichael Bond, Grayslake DemocratKirk W. Dillard, Hinsdale RepublicanSusan Garrett, Lake Forest DemocratRandall M. Hultgren, Winfield RepublicanDan Kotowski, Park Ridge DemocratChris Lauzen, Aurora RepublicanJohn J. Millner, St. Charles RepublicanMatt Murphy, Palatine RepublicanCarole Pankau, Roselle RepublicanWilliam E. Peterson, Long Grove RepublicanArthur “AJ” Wilhelmi, Joliet Democrat• Not voting or voting “present”:Dan Cronin, Elmhurst RepublicanLinda Holmes, Aurora DemocratSource: Senate roll call SB650Source: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)Author: Amber Ellis, Daily Herald Staff WriterPublished: Friday, May 11, 2007 Copyright: 2007 The Daily Herald CompanyContact: fencepost dailyherald.comWebsite: http://www.dailyherald.com/Related Articles:Will Third Time Be The Charm for MMJ Effort?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22958.shtmlWill Our Leaders Be Dopes?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22943.shtmlBackers Stress Compassion of Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22919.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #10 posted by user123 on May 12, 2007 at 11:07:43 PT: Idge-its It must be sad being so f'in wrong all the time. Now go vote for the wrong people & keep this sorry system that isn't working in place. Oh well, all will be revealed in time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 11, 2007 at 08:34:06 PT dongenero Thank you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by dongenero on May 11, 2007 at 08:27:02 PT FoM it seems to only be available as a PDF from the IL govt web site.I'll see if I can copy and paste to a comment....... Looks like it sorta works...formatting is not quite right. First is the vote, followed by the name;Senate Bill No. 650 THIRD READING May 10, 2007 22 YEAS 29 NAYS 4 PRESENT N Althoff N Forby Y Lightford N Risinger N Bomke N Frerichs Y Link Y Ronen N Bond N Garrett N Luechtefeld N Rutherford N Brady Y Haine N Maloney Y Sandoval N Burzynski P Halvorson Y Martinez Y Schoenberg NV Clayborne Y Harmon Y Meeks N Sieben P Collins Y Hendon N Millner Y Silverstein NV Cronin P Holmes P Munoz N Sullivan Y Crotty N Hultgren N Murphy Y Syverson Y Cullerton Y Hunter Y Noland Y Trotter NV Dahl Y Jacobs N Pankau Y Viverito NV DeLeo N Jones, J. N Peterson N Watson Y Delgado N Koehler N Radogno N Wilhelmi N Demuzio N Kotowski Y Raoul Y Mr. President N Dillard N Lauzen N Righter [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 11, 2007 at 08:01:23 PT dongenero Is there a way to see a list of how they voted? I don't have anything to read a pdf file anymore since mine was buggy and I uninstalled it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by mayan on May 11, 2007 at 07:58:32 PT Risking Careers? That has nothing to do with it. If 80% of Americans support medical cannabis then where is the risk? As long as these republicrats are puppets to the pharmaceutical industry then they will find ways to block any decent medical cannabis bills. I don't care if it loses by one vote. This crap happens all the time. Either the house or senate will pass something knowing full well that it will fail in the other chamber. It's a rigged game and will continue to be so until we completely clean house of all corporate puppets. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by dongenero on May 11, 2007 at 07:55:37 PT how did your senator vote? Here's the link for roll call vote on Illinois SB650. Take names and mark your calendar for the next election.http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/95/senate/09500SB0650_05102007_015000T.pdf [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by mai_bong_city on May 11, 2007 at 07:41:12 PT can't go home again, i guess i grew up in winfield illinois, this is disappointing to say the least. even though i've a new home now, one that allows me my medicine, it's not much better. but it means i won't feel welcome in my old hometown anymore. crime? many of these senator's names are familiar to me. the crime is whatever happened to these people that they grew up to be - this. boo. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by dongenero on May 11, 2007 at 07:26:28 PT Let voters decide directly It would be nice if the politicians would just set their egos aside, step aside and let The People make the decision the senators are too afraid to risk their political careers over.Or they could find some b*lls and make the tough calls they should be making rather than always worrying about covering their a$$es. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 11, 2007 at 06:41:00 PT The Tide is Turning This is my current favorite video. More Democrats are getting on board and that makes me hopeful. It's time to change the direction we are going.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YisPgRoSsRA [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by mayan on May 11, 2007 at 06:30:36 PT BULLSH*T!!! Opponents worried that their support would signal they’re soft on crime.I call BULLSH*T! These fascists know very well that there is overwhelming support for medical cannabis! It's obvious that both parties are working together to stifle anything which could be a threat to big pharm's profits. The powerful are aligning thmeseves against us, sides are being chosen and the pendulum is soon going to swing very hard one way or the other. Which will it be??? [ Post Comment ] Post Comment