RALEIGH, N.C. â?? Proponents of legalizing marijuana use to relieve pain and suffering in some patients are getting a day at the North Carolina Legislature to speak out.

The House Health Committee scheduled a committee meeting Thursday to discuss a bill that would allow people with debilitating medical conditions to possess an adequate supply of the drug and not be prosecuted.

The measure also would create a licensing process for qualified patients and those entities that distribute marijuana.

The Marijuana Policy Project says 13 states have laws designed to allow patients to use marijuana to treat illness without threat of state punishment, despite federal law still barring its possession.

Opponents argue marijuana is a dangerous drug linked to health risk and can lead abusers to try other hard-core addictive drugs.