For the first time in recent history, both chambers of the General Assembly will be considering medical marijuana legislation at the same time. Rep. Angelo Saviano (R-River Grove) is the sponsor of HB 5938, and Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago) is the sponsor of SB 2865. Both bills are known as the “Alternative Treatment for Serious Diseases Causing Chronic Pain and Debilitating Conditions Act.”
This legislation would protect seriously ill patients with certain debilitating diseases from arrest for using medical marijuana. Qualifying conditions include: cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), Crohn’s disease, agitation from Alzheimer’s, and nail patella. The bills also cover the treatment of conditions involving: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe pain; severe nausea; seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of epilepsy; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis.
Kudos to Illinois for moving forward with the Alternative Treatment for Serious Diseases Causing Chronic Pain and Debilitating Conditions Act… whew, that’s a mouthful. How about the ATSDCCPDC Act? Too cryptic? Then what’s wrong with just calling it the Medical Marijuana Act? Sheesh, the contortions we have to go through to avoid saying “marijuana” are enough to give you chronic pain. Don’t get me wrong, I’m 100% in favor of the ATSDCCPDC Act. You can call it the Save the Puppy Dogs & Orphans Act if that gets another state to protect medical marijuana patients.
