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Physician-assisted suicide now legal in California

Earlier this week, California Governor Jerry Brown signed the controversial “End Of Life Option Act,” which allows doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients, (via CNN).

He offered his personal sentiments in a letter addressed to state lawmakers: “I do not know what I would do if I were dying in prolonged and excruciating pain,” Brown wrote. “I am certain, however, that it would be a comfort to be able to consider the options afforded by this bill. And I wouldn't deny that right to others.”

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The law goes into statewide effect January 1, 2016. If anyone attempts to pressure another into requesting or taking assisted suicide drugs, it will be considered a felony.

As Vox reports, this has tripled the number of Americans living in states where a doctor can prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients. Assisted suicide is conductible in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Vermont. That covers roughly 52.5 million people—or 1 in 6 Americans.

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