Pubdate: Wed, 18 Apr 2007 Source: Windy City Times (Chicago, IL) Copyright: 2007 Windy City Media Group Contact: http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/windycitytimes.html Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3204 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) MED MARIJUANA BILL BOUND FOR SENATE FLOOR A medical marijuana bill sponsored by State Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, has passed the Senate's Public Health Committee after considering written and oral expert testimony from medical professionals and patients, according to a release from the Marijuana Policy Project. Medical marijuana policy experts said they expect the bill, SB 650, to go to the Senate floor for a full vote soon. The bill would prevent seriously ill patients who use medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation from being arrested. Currently, 12 states--including California, Rhode Island and New Mexico ( which just passed a bill through the House and Senate, according to mpp.org ) --have similar laws on the books, protecting those who have cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and hepatitis C. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake