A bill that would legalize the medicinal use of marijuana in Minnesota has cleared a second committee in the state Senate, with the Judiciary Committee approving it on a narrow 4-3 vote. A hearing on the companion House bill before the House Civil Justice Committee is expected shortly.
The bill, SF 97, would allow qualified patients or their caregivers to possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of usable marijuana and 12 plants. People suffering from cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, Hep C, or Tourette's Syndrome or a chronic or debilitating disease or its treatment that produces wasting syndrome, intractable pain, severe nausea, seizures, or spasms whose doctors approve of their use would qualify.
A previous version of the bill passed the Senate and every House committee vote during the 2007-2008 session, but died without a House floor vote. It faced the strong opposition of law enforcement and a veto threat from Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty's position has not changed, but bill supporters are hoping it will.
"I am increasingly confident that this will be the year that Minnesota joins the 13 other states that have acted to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest," said bill sponsor Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing). "This is an issue where science, compassion and simple common sense come together."
Before voting, the Senate committee heard testimony from opponents and proponents of the bill. "Two puffs, two minutes, and the violent sickness was totally gone," said Kathy Rippentrop, who described her mother's use of marijuana to alleviate the symptoms of cancer chemotherapy. "An hour later, Mom was able to have a good meal. The stomach problems from the chemo were totally gone. It also helped her regain a quality of life that allowed her to continue to fight."
And while some worried that allowing for the use of medical marijuana would make law enforcement's job more difficult, Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), whose husband died of colon cancer, was not one of them. "We're not talking about getting people hooked on drugs and then going out in the street and, you know, destroying their lives and passing it on to other people," said Prettner Solon. "We're talking about end of life issues -- a last resort for people's suffering."
Med-Pot
What a Piece - of- work this Mn Gov is. Heaven Forbid ANY of this Idiots Relations or Loved-Ones get ill enough to have a need such as this, May Gov Pawlenty Reap what he Soweth! Any patients in need of Medical Marijuana, of which I am one, know first-hand that this herbal remedy is, by far, cheaper and with NO addiction qualities like pain meds, a Perfect fit for their miseries! After 7 years of Opiate Therapy and One Helluva Withdrawl period, I found that Med-Pot is THE one helping aid in my Long Struggle with Chronic Pain. Drs. give out STRONG Drugs like Oxycontin and others without really informing the patient that he/she has a World-Of-Hurt coming when the Pharmicuticals do not work any more! And here we have a Legitimate, NON-ADDICTING HERB just waiting to be unleashed for us sufferers of Chronic pain and other maladies. Inexpensive and Seemingly So less harmful than Pharms. Maybe thats it, the drug companys' Bottom-Line just might take a hit, BUT NOOOO, We can't have that! Commerce is just too important for these GREEDY Drug Companys, Who by the way have seen Unprecedented Profits, Even MORE important than us PAtients. MAny of whom simply can't even afford Medical coverage. This takes a Drastic toll on state coffers via "Welfare" when folks cannot afford coverage. Legalize it, Tax it and then watch this Countrys' Deficit Dwindle! WAKE UP MINNESOTA, WAKE UP USA, and most Importantly, WAKE UP BIG GOVERNMENT! THE PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING! PLUS, WE HOLD YOUR OFFICE KEYS by way of vote. Keep this SHITE' up and we will UNITE like never before! "Hurting in the "Back 40"
you almost have to hope someone Pawlenty cares about needs MMJ
Same with Rell in CT. That's the only way to get through to a lot of people. Time and again I've seen it work that way with MMJ. When it's just people they don't know who need it, it's so easy for them to play callous ignorant thug.
crazy
Pot should be legal for many reasons . It's easy to find info because so many people care. When will we get the guts to stand up for our freedom.Pawlenty needs to listen to the people . Lets vote on it .What can we do?
Post new comment