Illinois lawmakers have struck down medical marijuana legislation in the past. (Photo courtesy eggrole/flickr)

By The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois State Rep. Lou Lang has decided not to call his medical marijuana legislation until next week.

The Skokie Democrat told The Associated Press Wednesday he's still not certain he has the 60 votes he needs for passage.

He says he has most of the necessary votes but there are ``a whole bunch of people who are wavering.'' He will continue talking to them over the weekend and try again in the Legislature's second week of its fall session.

Lang believes marijuana should be available in limited amounts for people with specific illnesses who get pain relief from the drug.

It's the tightest such measure in the nation.

Eighteen states allow medical marijuana use and two of those recently OK'd recreational use.