- The Washington Times - Thursday, May 22, 2014

Illinois lawmakers pushed forward with a bill to let minor-aged children who suffer from epilepsy smoke marijuana to ease their symptoms.

The House passed the medical marijuana measure by a 98-18 margin, Time reported. It now heads to the Senate side, where an earlier version already passed.

“These people are not interested in getting high,” said Democratic state Rep. Lou Lang, the bill’s sponsor, to the Chicago Sun-Times. “These are folks that are interested in alleviating their seizures.”

Parents, backed by some in the medical community, say one of the active ingredients in marijuana is known to reduce — and in some cases, wipe out — seizures related to epilepsy in minors.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide