Medical Marijuana: Minnesota Bill Wins Committee Vote, Heads for Senate Floor

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #579)
Drug War Issues

[inline:minnesotacapitol.jpg align=right caption="Minnesota State Capitol"]The Minnesota medical marijuana bill, SF 97, cleared its fourth and final Senate committee hurdle Thursday, winning approval of the Senate Finance Committee on a 9-3 vote. It is now headed for a Senate floor vote.

"I am delighted that this compassionate, sensible bill is now on its way to the Senate floor," said bill sponsor Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing). "With Michigan's medical marijuana law taking full effect this weekend, I am increasingly optimistic that Minnesota will soon become the 14th state to get politics out of the doctor-patient relationship and protect medical marijuana patients from arrest."

A companion measure in the House has also been passed by four separate committees. It has not had a House floor vote.

In 2007, a similar bill won a Senate floor vote, but in the face of a veto threat by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the House never put it to a vote. Pawlenty's position hasn't changed this year, although he did say he might reconsider if law enforcement did not oppose it. But so far, there's no sign of that.

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

pawlenty is so backwards, when will he concede ideological defeat on this count? it won't be long.

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 1:32pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

He would rather have cops pushing an easy button than some really sick people having a little relief from some serious pain? What an ass!

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 10:51pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I suppose you could say this joker is showing political courage. But he's just a sadistic creep to me. When it comes to medicinal cannabis, leave your feelings for recreational cannabis out of it! Don't hold seriously and severely ill patients hostage that way!

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 11:27pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

we just want this shit to pass. right now all of these drug laws are bull shit. pot should not even be in the contolled substance act. it does not fit in the 1st categorie anyways. how about we make drinking illegal and legalize pot. then will see how many deaths there are in minnesota due to drinking and driving. oh wait... it will be illegal. this is bull shit. people are complaining over a dried up fucking flower. this government should get their heads out of there asses.
Tim pawlenty is a stuck up little bitch to. he is a god damn republican for christ sakes. he fits the description of a retarded politician

Tue, 04/21/2009 - 12:53pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

There are many pros and cons to the use of medical marijuana. One of the positive uses of pot is in medical purposes. Marijuana may help people who have serious medical ailments with pain management. An example is the presence of marijuana clubs that cater to patients using medical marijuana for treatment. For more on this topic visit http://medicalpot.com . Most importantly pot is known to help reduce cell growth in cancer patients.

Wed, 04/15/2009 - 12:50pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I have not smoked for two years! Doctors give me different pain pills to sleep and to knock pain off. It's Bs that they can drug you up and call it legal. Marijuana is safer and does both with out any liver damage. When will this pass anybody? My girlfriend witch lives with me is a cop,so the only way i can smoke has to be legal.

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 3:36pm Permalink

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