Diagnosed with cancer at 16, Scott Poplawski turned to marijuana at the urging of his siblings to fight effects of chemotherapy that were ravaging his young body.

He weighed just 86 pounds after eight months of treatment, down from 220.

Marijuana fought off nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea, he said, and it's worked ever since.

He has since lost his bladder and other effects of the chemo linger, but Poplawski is able to maintain a 190-pound frame today.

That's the reason Poplawski, fellow cancer victims and chronic pain sufferers have been lobbying lawmakers on a measure to allow them their medical marijuana.

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SPRINGFIELD -- People who own a vicious dog and are later charged with a felony drug crime would have to get their dog sterilized or face further charges under a bill sent to the governor Friday.

The bill, which passed the House 95-19, would prevent owners from using their dogs as weapons, said Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R-Sterling), the sponsor. Neutered dogs are less likely to be vicious, he said.

"All we're trying to do is to slow down the use of animals as weapons for felons."

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