It seems like marijuana may be on the brink of nationwide legalization. If Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signs a bill that was approved by the state legislature, Nevada will become the 14th state to establish a system of state-regulated medical marijuana dispensaries.

Currently, 18 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized medical marijuana. Colorado stunned the nation when it became the first state to legalize, regulate, and tax recreational marijuana, with specialty shops set to open in 2014. Now it seems Nevada wants to hop on the marijuana bandwagon.

According to The State, voters amended the Nevada Constitution to legalize the use of medical marijuana 13 years ago in 2000. Since then, patients in need of medical marijuana have faced obstacles in legally obtaining the drug within the state of Nevada without growing marijuana plants at home. But that's all about to change.

"It's time," said Sen. Tick Segerblom. "People that are sick and need it - they'll be able to buy it, and they don't need to worry about violating the law."

The new measure makes marijuana available to people who have been issued a medical marijuana card. Growers, processors, and dispensaries of marijuana will have to meet stringent standards and pay the necessary fees to sell the drug. Medical marijuana patients who have resorted to home-growing the plant will still be allowed to do so until 2016 under the bill. The bill could allow for 66 dispensaries to operate in the state, 40 of which may be located in Las Vegas.

"Medical marijuana was approved by Nevadans, and I'm proud to be the deciding vote to implement what has been lacking since the vote," Assemblywoman Michele Fiore told The Associated Press.

Many experts and doctors believe that marijuana can relieve the symptoms associated with chronic illnesses. Medical marijuana patient Burton Aldrich, a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic who says he experiences overwhelming pain, appears in a series of public service announcements in favor of medical marijuana.

"Within five minutes of smoking marijuana, the spasms have gone away and the neuropathic pain has just about disappeared," he said.

Marijuana is said to offer a myriad of benefits, among them are reduiced nausea, increased appetite, and eased pain. Below is a list of ten illnesses that marijuana is commonly used to treat:

1. Multiple sclerosis

2. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

3. Side effects of chemotherapy

4. Glaucoma

5. Insomnia

6. Epilepsy

7. Migraines

8. Crohn's disease

9. Anxiety

10. AIDS