California residents with terminal illnesses will have the legal option of assisted suicide starting June 9.

The state is the fifth to enact "right to die" legislation, which allows doctors to legally prescribe life-ending drugs at the request of patients facing imminent death. California follows Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Montana.

The End of Life Option Act was actually signed by California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) in October of last year. But because it passed the state assembly during a "extraordinary" legislative session , it wouldn't go into effect until 90 days after the session adjourned , as NPR reports. The session ended Thursday, March 9.