The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed medical marijuana legislation designed to allow patients access to the drug nearly 40 years after the state first legalized the drug in the late 1970s.

The bill passed by a much wider margin than expected, 61-32, clearing the lower chamber after a series of personal appeals made by House members who urged fellow members to vote in favor.

The bill now heads back to the Senate, where the upper chamber is expected to pass the bill that came out of the House with a relatively minor change.

"The wait was excruciating, but so worth it," said medical marijuana advocate Katie Corkern, who wants to treat her son Connor's epilepsy with the drug.

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Kevin Litten ~ NOLA.com ~