Medical marijuana debuts in Illinois but some patients turned away

Bill Wilson can't stand the smell of marijuana. He said he's anti-drug and anti-alcohol, yet there he was Monday, buying medical cannabis on the first day it was authorized by Illinois law.

After years of taking anti-inflammatory drugs and prescription painkillers that messed up his stomach, the 52-year-old Chicagoan who has degenerative spinal disease said he hoped that marijuana would help him reduce his use of such medications. After seeing cannabis help his sister with multiple sclerosis, and trying it himself in Colorado, he said he's convinced of its benefits.

"This is going to be a godsend," he said, holding vials of pot that cost him $180. "I really believe that."

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Robert McCoppin and Dan Moran ~ Chicago Tribune