Vermont lawmakers are considering amending the state's medical-marijuana law to expand eligibility to people with progressive and debilitating illnesses, not just those with life-threatening conditions.

The Rutland Herald reported Jan. 20 that the state Senate Judiciary Committee recently voted 4-1 to approve the measure, which would amend the medical-marijuana law passed in Vermont in 2004. Law-enforcement groups argued against the change, saying that expanding eligibility could increase drug crimes or theft of marijuana from medical users.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee is now considering the measure, which would allow medical users to have up to two ounces of marijuana, four mature marijuana plants and four immature plants for personal use; users would have to register the plants with the State Police and have a doctor's approval to use the drug.

"This bill marks a major step forward in Vermont's medical marijuana program,"said Adam Necrason, a lobbyist for the Marijuana Policy Project. "While not perfect, S.7 will extend protection to many patients who suffer terribly but have no protection under our current law."