Yesterday, after nearly a decade of debate, the Minnesota House and Senate finally passed a bill to allow medical marijuana use! Don’t get too excited, however, the bill is now making it’s way to Gov. Tim Pawlenty who allegedly isn’t a fan and there sure are a lot of restrictions.
The House version of the original bill was quite different from the Senate’s version. A provision allowing patients to grow their own marijuana was removed, and a controversial amendment restricted the use of marijuana to terminally ill patients suffering a debilitating illness. The latter amendment removes medical marijuana eligibility for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who need the drug to combat nausea. Sounds like a lot of restrictions, doesn’t it? Well, at least it’s a start.
The bill would establish a licensing system for patients who have a doctor’s recommendation for weed. They would then be issued a photo ID card that allows them to purchase medical cannabis at state-licensed dispensaries.
Should the proposal continue to stall at the Capitol, which is expected, medical marijuana supports vow to consider a constitutional amendment which will take the issue right to voters. Of the 13 states with medical marijuana laws, nine have passed through popular vote. So there’s hope!
May 20, 2009 at 10:27 am
How can the government say its bad for so many years the say its ok only for certain people. WTF? This is getting way old.