Marijuana Legalization: Illinois Becomes 20th State To Legalize Medical Pot [VIDEO]

Just as the country was done celebrating Colorado and Washington's marijuana legalization following the 2012 election, Illinois is stepping up to the plate as well. Gov. Paul Quinn signed a strict medical marijuana bill into law Thursday, making his state the 20th in the nation to legalize the use of marijuana. The measure will go into effect Jan. 1 and require 24-hour surveillance of all 60-state run dispensaries and 24 cultivation centers, USA Today reported.

"This is really an important day, I think, for healing in Illinois," Quinn said at a signing ceremony on Thursday. "For helping people who are dealing with pain every day, often times very severe pain."

Doctors can now perscribe the plant to treat a list of 42 illnesses, including AIDS, cancer, Crohn's Disease and Alzheimer's, the New York Daily News reported. The patient cannot be prescribed more than 2.5 ounces for the first two weeks. The patient and his or her medical professional must also have a longstanding medical relationship. The ramifications of the bill, legislators said, is to cut down on illegal pot-growing rings that have become rampant in the state.

New Hampshire signed similar legislation into law last week, with 17 other states having decriminalized the plant in recent years. Currently, New York, Minnesota, Ohio and Pennsylvania have pending marijuana legislation.

"Illinois is the latest of a growing number of states adopting compassionate, commonsense legislation that reflects the proven medical benefits of medical marijuana," Chris Lindsey, legislative analyst for the pro-pot group Marijuana Policy Project, said in a statement. "Seriously ill people in every state deserve the same safe and legal access to medical marijuana, and we will continue to work with patients and advocates around the nation until they have it."