katie_edwards.jpgTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – A Florida lawmaker sponsoring a bill to legalize medical marijuana admits the proposal's chances in the current legislative session are "slim to none.''

State Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, said Monday the Republican-led Legislature missed an opportunity to debate an issue gaining wider acceptance from Floridians.

The bill (HB 1139) would allow patients with certain medical conditions to possess and use marijuana strictly for medicinal purposes under a doctor's supervision.

Edwards said she's not giving up the fight and will keep promoting the issue.

She said that people stricken with cancer, Lou Gehrig's Disease, epilepsy and other diseases shouldn't be treated like criminals for using marijuana to ease their pain or side effects.

She said the bill is narrowly drafted to apply only to those in medical need.

*Picture above is State Rep. Katie Edwards.