House committee OKs use of medical marijuana

SPRINGFIELD -- A debate over medical marijuana could be coming to Illinois.

An Illinois House committee voted 4-3 Wednesday to pass legislation that would legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Now the measure goes to the House floor, which could trigger arguments over the state's drug policy.

Rep. Lou Lang says his bill would help people fighting cancer, AIDS and other diseases. The Skokie Democrat argues marijuana relieves pain and nausea without the side effects of other drugs.

But Republican Patricia Bellock says the legislation doesn't include enough safeguards to keep pot out of the hands of people who don't need it for medical reasons.