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Terminally ill California residents may now legally take medicine to end their lives, thanks to a new law that goes into effect Thursday.
Under the "End of Life Option Act," California has become the fifth state in the nation to create a legal process for patients to obtain aid in dying.
And how the law fares in such a large and diverse state could shape whether this controversial option gains traction in the rest of the nation.
Advocates say people should have the right to decide whether they want "aid in dying," while opponents argue patients could feel pressure to take their own lives.
'I love my life'
Kristy Allan, a 63-year-old who has been in hospice care for terminal cancer since November, says the new law gives her peace of mind.
"I like my life, I love my children," Allan emphasized. She has already decided, however, at what point she would seek to end her life.
"For me, it's if I can no longer hygienically take care of myself," she told NBC News, adding, "I don't want my husband to have to."
Patients Ponder Life and Death as California'''s New '''Right to Die''' Law Begins - NBC News
I wish we had this in WA. My brother would be all over this.