Tagged: medical marijuana

A new poll shows 78 percent of Kentuckians support the legalization of medical marijuana, while others would be fine with widespread legalization.

The Kentucky Health Issues Poll has conducted polling on a wide array of issues for the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky over the past few months, from a statewide smoking ban to health insurance coverage.

A group opposing legalized medical marijuana in Illinois says there are dangers in allowing patients access to the drug.

The American Society for Addiction Medicine and a former Drug Enforcement Administration official are among those who say there are FDA-approved options patients can take instead. They also claim patients could end up with a surplus, which could find its way into the wrong hands.

The Illinois House has approved the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Lawmakers voted 61-57 Wednesday to allow physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients with specific terminal illnesses or debilitating medical conditions. The legislation goes to the state Senate, where a similar version was approved in 2009. Senate President John Cullerton's spokeswoman says he supports the legislation.

Nearly 250 Illinois physicians are calling on state lawmakers to legalize the use of marijuana for seriously ill patients.

Some physicians say marijuana can be a safer and more effective treatment than narcotics for patients with diseases such as cancer and HIV.

FRANKFORT — Saying the push for industrial help may help their cause in the future, supporters of a bill establishing a comprehensive system for medical marijuana in Kentucky rallied Wednesday in the Capitol Annex.

Senate Bill 11, known as the Gatewood Galbraith Medical Marijuana Memorial Act, is sponsored by Sen. Perry Clark, D-Louisville. Clark acknowledged the struggles the bill might face in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but he said industrial hemp's momentum may help the medical marijuana cause in future legislative sessions.