The push to legalize medical marijuana in Illinois has taken a big step forward.
The Illinois Senate voted 30-28 in favor of it on Wednesday. The bill now goes to the Illinois House, where a committee passed a medical marijuana measure earlier this year.
State senators who backed the measure say it will help relieve the pain of sick people so they won't try to illegally obtain the drug.
Some lawmakers told stories about how their own relatives had suffered because of debilitating or terminal illness.
The bill -- SB1381 -- sets up a three-year pilot program.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
