The Illinois Senate, by a vote of 29-22, defeated attempts to allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana to patients suffering from painful, debilitating diseases, such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Springfield Bureau reported May 11.

"This is disappointing," said Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, the bill's sponsor. "I don't think people realize how popular this is in their districts. This is overwhelmingly supported." Testimony surrounding the bill included personal stories of chronically ill patients who used marijuana illegally to relieve pain. 

Bill opponent Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, objected to the premise that marijuana is a medicine. "We don't know what the long-term effects of marijuana, in whatever quantities to be allowed under this bill, may be, in which case, I think calling this a medicine is very much a misnomer," he said.

Cullerton said he would continue to work to attain passage of a medical marijuana bill this session, which concludes at the end of May. He would need to persuade four senators who voted "present" and four who did not vote to attain the 30-vote majority for passage of a bill.

Thirteen states currently have medical marijuana laws.