SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Those living in Illinois may soon be able to use medical marijuana.

Wednesday, the state house approved the legalization.

Under the plan, patients with terminal illnesses like cancer could get a small portion of marijuana to use every couple weeks.

The bill creates a four-year pilot program that would start next year.

"It is so heartbreaking to see someone you love to go through such debilitating pain, when there could be a solution to that pain," said Glenview Representative Laura Fine.

Illinois would become the 21st state to legalize marijuana for medical use.