Pubdate: Thu, 14 Apr 2005
Source: Golden Valley Sun Post (MN)
Copyright: 2005 Sun Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.mnsun.com/paper.asp?city=Golden_Valley
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3287
Author: Marc Ingber, Sun Newspapers
Note: This paper does not publish letters to the editor from outside its
coverage area
Cited: Marijuana Policy Project ( www.mpp.org )
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

KELLEY AUTHORS MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

The debate over legalizing medical marijuana has been going on
throughout the country for years, but the issue is once again being
brought up in Minnesota.

The medical marijuana bill S.F. 1973 passed through the Senate Health
and Family Security Committee by a 5-2 vote April 5. The bill, which
would protect medical marijuana patients and their caregivers from the
threat of arrest and imprisonment, was co-authored by Sen. Steve
Kelley, DFL-44, representing Golden Valley, Hopkins and St. Louis Park.

It was the first time a medical marijuana bill has ever passed a
committee in Minnesota, according to the Marijuana Policy Project
(MPP), which describes itself as the largest marijuana policy reform
organization in the United States. A similar bill was introduced in
the state Legislature a few years ago, but it didn't have much luck,
Kelley said.

He said this bill is based on similar bills that have passed in other
states. Ten states have enacted laws that protect seriously ill
patients using medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation:
Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon,
Vermont and Washington.

Kelley, who co-authored the bill with Rep. Tom Huntley, DFL-7A, who
represents Duluth, said it would put the decision to use medical
marijuana in doctors' hands because patients would need a certificate
of eligibility from them to receive the treatment.

"I'm not talking about legalization," he said. "I know it's
controversial, but it's important for a society to be compassionate to
these people with serious diseases."

The serious disease Kelley talks about is often cancer, he said, but
it's not exclusive to that.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is not supportive of the bill, according to his
press secretary, Brian McClung. He said the governor feels there are
enough medicines and pain relievers available to not have to resort to
marijuana.

He said it was unlikely the bill would pass both the House and the
Senate during this legislative session, as it still would have a
number of committees to pass through.

"Even the supporters of the bill don't think the bill will pass all
the legislative hurdles this year," McClung said.

Kelley acknowledged this and also said he was aware Pawlenty could
veto the bill if it does get to him. However, he said the bill has
bipartisan support and polls show the majority of Minnesotans support
legalizing medical marijuana.

According to a statewide Zogby International Poll, about 60 percent of
Minnesotans support the bill. About 30 percent said passing the bill
would send the wrong message to children, compared to about 60 percent
who said it would not.

Even if the bill passes, medical marijuana would still be unlawful
under federal law, Kelley said. He's been supportive of similar bills
in the past, he said, but this is the first time he's been involved in
the authoring of one. "I picked it up because I'm concerned with how
we're treating people with serious illnesses," he said.

The bill's next step is to go to a judiciary committee, which was
expected to happen in the next few weeks.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin