A bill filed in the Missouri House of Representatives reopens the debate about medical marijuana.

Rep. Tom Villa, D-St. Louis, is sponsoring the bill, filed Tuesday, that would allow doctors statewide to prescribe marijuana for patients with serious medical conditions. It is similar to medical marijuana proposals filed in Missouri's General Assembly in years past. Eleven other states have passed similar bills.

Under the bill, Missouri patients, through their physicians, would contact the state health department to receive an authorization card, which would show that they have a doctor's approval to use the drug. "National surveys show a broad base of support for this type of legislation," Villa said.

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