Marijuana Bill Nears House Vote

PFlynn · 04-10-2008, 04:04 PM

Minnesota - More than 10,000 seriously ill Minnesotans could control pain with marijuana legally if a bill headed to the full House becomes law. The House Ways and Means Committee voted 13-4, with 12 members absent, Wednesday to advance the measure. But Gov. Tim Pawlenty is likely to veto it if the House passes the measure.

“Gov. Pawlenty stands with law enforcement in opposition to this bill,” Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said. Even if the bill faces a veto, sponsor Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-Duluth, said it is important to pass it as a message to Minnesotans.

The issue has arisen several times over the years, but has failed to pass the House. It passed the Senate last year, so if the House passes the measure – as Huntley expects – it heads directly to Pawlenty.

Many legislative committees heard testimony last year, so none was accepted on Wednesday.

Huntley said there are two changes from a year ago. One is that the College of American Physicians has endorsed medical marijuana use.

The other change, he said, is that “some of the people who testified last year have died.”

The bill allows doctors to approve marijuana use to reduce chronic pain. Patients could have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana at any one time.

If the bill became law, state officials predict at least 10,000 Minnesotans would use marijuana.

Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion, a Pawlenty appointee, said in an interview that medical marijuana decisions should be made by the federal Food and Drug Administration, which approves other drugs.

“The Legislature is going to replace this process,” Campion said. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“How do you regulate it?” he asked. “Who tests it?”

A dozen other states allow medical marijuana use, and Neal Levine of the Medical Marijuana Policy Project said it is important to those with chronic pain.

“The states are trying to protect their own citizens because the federal government arrests sick people,” Levine said.

Federal authorities have arrested people using marijuana for medical reasons, citing laws outlawing the practice.

“The overwhelming majority of the public supports it,” Huntley added.

Source: Hastings Starr Gazette (MN)
Copyright: 2008 Forum Communications Co.
Contact: news@hastingsstargazette.com
Website: The Hastings Star-Gazette