Pubdate: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN) Section: Briefing Copyright: 2007 St. Paul Pioneer Press Contact: http://www.twincities.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/379 Author: Rachel E. Stassen-Berger Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) ST. PAUL / PANEL APPROVES MEDICAL MARIJUANA In the first step of a long process, a bill to give critically ill patients the state's OK to use marijuana received a Minnesota Senate health committee's approval Wednesday. The bill, which has both Democratic and Republican sponsors, moves on to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An identical House measure has yet to begin its journey through the Legislature. The measure won some legislative support Wednesday, but it also drew Gov. Tim Pawlenty's opposition. The governor, like many in law enforcement, has not been supportive of measures that would allow Minnesotans to use marijuana for medical reasons. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman