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Question of the day

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Illinois

* If you’ve been watching the live session coverage post, you already know that the medical marijuana bill (HB 1) just passed the Senate on a vote of 35-21. The bill now goes to the governor.

* The Question: Your thoughts on this bill passage?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:12 pm

Comments

Wise, progressive and humane. Good on you, General Assembly.

Don’t screw it up, Pat.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:13 pm
Remarkable.

Comment by Bill Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:14 pm
One of the more ignorant debates I’ve heard.

Huge emphasis on illegal use, without addressing that the alternative is oxycontin and other opiates, which are WAY more abused and FAR deadlier.

Comment by Anon Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:15 pm
A small step in the right direction.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:16 pm
It’s about time. We are a “blue” state, but we don’t seem to be very progressive.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:16 pm
I see that Oberweis voted yes. Just when you get to know your State Senator (he is mine) he goes all progressive on me. Huh!!

Comment by train111 Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:19 pm
Finally.

Comment by Just Observing Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:21 pm
We can legalize pot but we can’t pass equal marriage?

Comment by Just Me Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:21 pm
Has Governor Quinn said if he plans on signing it?

Comment by Ben Marc*m Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:29 pm
Oberweis voting yes is indicative that he may be more libertarian than conservative.

Comment by Cassiopeia Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:29 pm
Fantastic. We just took a big step in joining other progressive states. I have the highest hope (no pun intended) that Quinn will sign the bill. This is a great day for patients of very serious illnesses.

If we get SSM passed this session, along with a deal on pension reform, what a session it will be.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:31 pm
Marijuana, gay marriage, casinos, oh my!

Pensions, bill backlog, social services, go cry!

Comment by Keep Calm and Carry On Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:32 pm
Well done.

Sen. Oberweis, I am more impressed at your thoughtfulness on the issue than the actual vote, and that is a compliment. Congrats to you, honestly.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:35 pm
Good news. Reality v rhetoric and today reality won.

And it’s really tough to oppose when you hear Senator Raoul talk emotionally about watching his physician father suffer in his final days when no pharmaceutical product brought relief.

Congratulations to the advocates and legislators who worked diligently on this bill for years.

Comment by Dan Johnson Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:36 pm
I thought Delgado made some of the best comments during debate. I guess I’m just another liberal but for the life of me, I don’t know how anyone could defend voting No on the bill.

What really frustrates me is my Rep (Poe) and Senator (McCann) both voted against this and both have a Medical School, Teaching Hospitals and large medical communities in their districts.

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:40 pm
Long overdue. Attitudes about marijuana are rooted in the Prohibition era! You can be a compassionate conservative.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:42 pm
Way overdue, but great news none the less. Now that the medical use is finally being recognized for the good it can do, if we could just treat it he same as alcohol (regulate recreational use, Inforce age restrictions and driving impaired rules) and let adults make the decision if they want to consume it at their own risk ,we will finally become a state of logical rules of law. Not holding my breath on that happening any time soon unfortunately …

Comment by Roadiepig Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:43 pm
Rich is that you? my glaucoma must be acting up again ….

Comment by Spliff Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:55 pm
Astounding, tremendous, and a truly humane bill which so many have suffered for in getting to this point–trying to help those in suffering who NEED it! Hats off to the G.A.–the right, loving, and responsible action to take, and with all of the safeguards built into it, well thought-out. Gov. Pat Quinn will soon be happy to sign it into Law and that will be a moment we can ALL feel not only a bit progressive–Republican, Democrat, Independent or None of the Above–and PROUD to be residents who herald from the Land of Lincoln, Illinois…Illinois (as our State Song gently repeats its’ name)!!!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:56 pm
Wow!Man

Comment by Exhausted Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:57 pm
House Libertairans should have no problem voting yes for gay marriage.

Comment by "Edge" Friday, May 17, 13 @ 1:57 pm
Now treat it like tobacco and ban it everywhere!

Good move, really.

Comment by Wumpus Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:01 pm
Sign the bill Duuude.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:05 pm
The party of less government could put only three votes on this bill to expand freedom. Thanks to Senators Althoff, Oberweis and Syverson.

Comment by reformer Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:10 pm
A good thing for those who can benefit.
Will the Federal Government get onboard?

Comment by FormerParatrooper Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:13 pm
congrats senators that voted yes !!! well done….Ok Rich looking forward to your closing music video for the weekend ????

Comment by railrat Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:14 pm
Good to hear pain patients will have another option here.

This could be the first step in a slippery slope to full legalization (with tax revenue) beyond medical use…and that’s a good thing!

Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:14 pm
I’m afraid to comment until Quinn actually signs the bill into law. Please don’t mess this one up.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:18 pm
Gov. Quinn, people in pain await your signature.

Comment by Amalia Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:23 pm
When does the bill take effect?

Comment by Anon Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:26 pm
1/1/14

Comment by Anon Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:30 pm
I’m hungry for some reason……….

Comment by John A Logan Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:33 pm
I have no problem with medical marijuana in concept. I also appreciate the stated intent of avoiding a California-like joke of a system.

I do take offense to the hyperbole about prescription drugs, but hyperbole is not unusual for legislators.

With that being said, I think HB 1 is a an implementation nightmare. As is the norm for the General Assembly, they put words on paper that will garner votes to pass their pet initiative, but they don’t think through its cost and implementation. It will be amusing to see if the pilot program is even up and running by year four. I can’t wait to read the news stories about implementations delays and process concerns after the bill is signed. Included in these stories will be the huffing and puffing of legislators demanding action by agencies that weren’t given the resources by the General Assembly to get the job done.

Yes, you have assurance by Haine and others that the legislation’s fees will cover the costs, however, they don’t consider or don’t want you to consider the upfront costs that will accrue before fees can even be charged. Agriculture and Public Health will have to establish the bureaucracy before fees can even be determined. State Police may also require additional staffing. Who will pay fees before they understand the structure and requirements for engaging in the medical marijuana business. So now the Governor is going to have to come up with a million or so dollars to cover the start-up costs necessary to meet legislative and public expectations for the program early in the pilot period. This will be interesting to see him get money for new staff when he is cutting funding for existing staff. He’s certainly faced with the need to find personnel service funds to cover the AFSCME contract he’s agreed to despite opposition from the General Assembly.

Then we get to watch the efforts of the three implementing agencies to work with each other, the legislators and the constituency groups to develop rules within the specified period of time in the bill. My money is on the rules not being completed in time.

So over the next few years journalists will have an interesting subject to write about, auditors will find problems and legislation will be introduced extending the sunset by year three of the pilot.

Maybe I’m wrong and the Governor can come up with the equivalent of a personal seat license. To have a chance to play in the medical marijuana patch you have to pony up a bunch of money. Money spent without assurance that the party will be eligible. Unfortunately for the Gov., he would need additional legislative authority for the MMPSL (Medical Marijuana Personal Seat at the table License).

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:39 pm
Norseman raises serious practical problems with this bill. Though I hope he’s wrong, he sounds as if he knows whereof he speaks. Lang and Haine may have to pay close attention to the rollout process.

Comment by reformer Friday, May 17, 13 @ 2:54 pm
Lets be real here. This is an extremely restrictive bill. No home grown for patients! How long before the minimal amount of collectives approved are up and creating medicine? Giving up rights as a driver if you happen to be on the States medical cannabis patient list! This bill is a joke!!!! NJ has a similar situation. After passage of medical cannabis law almost two years ago it is still virtually impossible for patients to get medicine in that State. Quinn will sign it for sure, but this is the worst medical cannabis law in the Country. Lets follow this up with some reality check bill concerning patients ability to grow/create their own medicine.

Comment by Nickypiii Friday, May 17, 13 @ 3:03 pm
It would be more reasonable and less expensive to just legalize pot.This is going to be a another bureaucratic fiasco like FOID.And it’s just a pretense for full legalization.Is there any other medicine that requires inhaling smoke?Let’s be honest and just legalize it.

Comment by Julia Friday, May 17, 13 @ 3:12 pm
===Is there any other medicine that requires inhaling smoke?===

No, but there are plenty of other medicines that have to be inhaled.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 17, 13 @ 3:18 pm
Reformer, yes - I’ve been there and done that a number of times. I’ve had to bite my tongue while being read the riot act by a solon about the implementation of legislation that didn’t take into consideration the front end cost. Even after we pointed out the need for those funds.

Nowadays, the Quinn folks are too incompetent to address those issues.

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 17, 13 @ 3:26 pm
Some folks here are confusing this as some sort of victory for recreational pot smokers.

It’s not. This protects very sick folks who would like to get some relief without breaking the law and get off hard, dangerous, addictive, lawful prescription drugs.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 17, 13 @ 3:31 pm
The roll call on HB1 baffled me when I saw a “Y” in front of Jim Oberweis’ name. Pleased to see my State Senator voted on the right side of an important bill that will give tremendous help to patients across the state.

@Rich - thanks for the live tweets refuting some of the false claims opponents of the bill were making

Comment by estubborn Friday, May 17, 13 @ 3:37 pm
Oh, my - my back is acting up again. Sign it, Pat, before I have to take sick leave again!

Comment by dupage dan Friday, May 17, 13 @ 3:52 pm
@Cassiopeia - RE: Oberweis

Maybe its not a conservative or libertarian thing so much as pot smokers eat more ice cream than gays or immigrants. ; )

Snark aside good for Jim O whatever persuaded him to vote on the side of compassion rather than fear today.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, May 17, 13 @ 4:01 pm
reformer @ 2:10 pm — Whatever else this bill might be, it is not “less government.” But it’s hopefully the first step toward a sensible law.

Comment by Anon. Friday, May 17, 13 @ 4:02 pm
@norseman - I share your concerns about implementation and fear they made this thing so unwieldy and convoluted to avoid californias problems that they will not get the money toward this needed to set it up and it will be a mess for doctors and patients. There are other feelgood laws passed in recent years (like the adverse events reporting bill) that go unenforced without clear rules for docs and hospitals because there’s no money to write the rules or hire the regulators after the bill is passed. But today Ill just focus on the positive and be glad that common sense and compassion prevailed today over irrational fears and indifference.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, May 17, 13 @ 4:12 pm
I don’t get it. I’m a social conservative, have talked with those opposed to this bill, and I’m baffled.

Some say the bill isn’t strong enough to prevent abuses, but at what point does it become strong enough? Do you actually support medical marijuana, just not this particular bill? It all just seems disingenuous.

Comment by heirtime Monday, May 20, 13 @ 8:51 am