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CHICAGO (AP) - Nearly 250 physicians are calling on Illinois lawmakers to legalize the use of marijuana for patients with serious illnesses.

Three physicians spoke during a news conference Tuesday. They say marijuana can be a safer and more effective treatment than narcotics for patients with diseases such as cancer and HIV.

The Illinois House is expected to vote Wednesday on a bill that would create a medical marijuana pilot program. It would allow physicians who have an existing relationship with a patient to prescribe marijuana for certain conditions. Patients would be limited to buying 2.5 ounces at a time from dispensaries regulated by the state.

Julie Falco of Chicago uses marijuana to treat multiple sclerosis symptoms. Falco says she and other patients shouldn't be considered criminals for trying to ease their suffering.

Registered Nurses will be armed with pickets signs this morning outside Saint Louis University Hospital in south city. They will be joined by R-N's from Des Peres Hospital in Maryland Heights for an informational picket in from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The nurses say they want to meet with management over on-going concerns about patient care standards. Things like staffing, equipment and supply issues and matters of overall policies and procedures at the two facilities.

The pickets are part of a National Day of Action of Tenet nurses from around the country to support their call for fair collective bargaining contracts and the respect reflected in a just labor agreement.