10,000 Seriously Ill Minnesotans Would Benefit

A much supported medical marijuana bill heads to the full house in Minnesota. According to the Duluth News-Tribune April 10, 2008 article,("Marijuana Bill Nears House Vote") '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."

The article states, "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. 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."

The article adds, "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."