AUSTIN — A key lawmaker suggested Tuesday that a bill legalizing marijuana for medical use is probably “dead,” but the sponsor said she’s not discouraged by the “premature” pushback.

The bill has not yet been referred to a committee, where it could be debated and voted on, but similar proposals have been referred to the House Public Health committee now headed by Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said he opposes medical marijuana legalization, and Crownover told The Dallas Morning News Tuesday “I think it’s dead in the House, also.”

The bill lists cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer’s disease among the medical conditions that could be legally treated with marijuana. People with other conditions that cause severe pain, nausea or seizures would also qualify for legal access to the drug. [Read more at The Dallas Morning News]