Democratic Illinois Governor Pat Quinn legalized medical marijuana for adults and children who have epilepsy.
Initially, conservative lawmakers were hesitant to approve medical marijuana for children, and the law originally was only going to allow it for residents 18 years and older during the four-year pilot program.
However, parents’ appeals for their epileptic children not helped by conventional medications influenced the vote. Children with parental approval will be able to be treated for seizures with the oil of medical-grade marijuana, also known as cannabidiol (CBD) oil, a non-psychoactive component of the plant, once the law goes fully into effect in Illinois in January of 2015.