SPRINGFIELD –- Illinois could become the 12th state to legalize medical marijuana.

Pro-medical marijuana legislation cleared a Senate committee and faces debate in the Senate.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, would protect seriously ill patients from arrest, if they use marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. A registry identification card would be issued to these patients.

Marijuana has been used to treat the side effects of cancer chemotherapy, glaucoma, asthma, AIDS, epilepsy, nervous disorders and mental illness.

Dr. Eric Voth, chairman of the Institute on Global Drug Policy, said there are no proven medical benefits to ingesting marijuana.

Anita Bedell, executive director of the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction, said such legislation gives greater legitimacy to the drug and could lead to more abuse.

Ms. Bedell also pointed out the possibility that fake registry ID cards would be made.

"Doctors should be the ones dealing with this, not legislators," she added.

Sen. Cullerton said they are not trying to legalize marijuana.

"This is about pain, and we're doing everything we possibly can so it won't be abused or go to suppliers," he said.

The U.S. Supreme Court in June granted federal authorities the power to stop doctors from prescribing marijuana, but Illinois is considering legalizing it anyway.

Dr. Chris Fichtner, the former Illinois director of mental health, said that Sen. Cullerton's bill is actually an amendment to the Illinois Cannabis Control Act of 1978.

That Act said that glaucoma, nausea and other illnesses could be treated if the physician works out the details with the state police, but it was never implemented, he said.

"It's terribly misguided legislation," Dr. Voth said. "It's medicine by popular vote and that's wrong."

There are alternatives like Marinol, which contains THC, a component of marijuana, that's in a pill form and doesn't have the over 400 other chemicals in the smoked version, Dr. Voth said.

But Dr. Fichtner said, "Not all medicines work for everybody."

Julie Falco, of the Illinois division of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said she ingests marijuana in brownie form three times a day to cope with Multiple Sclerosis.

She said it relieves her leg spasticity, insomnia, bladder urgency and depression without the side effects she had with antidepressants.

Dr. Voth said, "Some people tend to improve, but it's hard to tell if they are intoxicated or really better."