Pubdate: Wed, 05 Mar 2014
Source: West Central Tribune (Willmar, MN)
Copyright: 2014 Forum Communications Company
Contact:  http://www.wctrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/542
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS SIDE WITH MEDICAL POT ADVOCATES

ST. PAUL -- A Minnesota House committee approved the use of marijuana 
to help suffering patients after 7-year-old Amelia Beaver provided an 
example Tuesday night of why some want the practice legalized. Advertisement

The girl suffered a seizure, one of 30 she suffers a day, while her 
mother told the Minnesota House Health and Human Services Policy 
Committee on Tuesday that marijuana could help her daughter.

"It would be the best day of my life if I could hear my daughter say 
'momma' again," Angie Beaver of Hibbing said, adding that there is 
evidence that marijuana can help some patients regain speech and 
reduce seizures.

The Beavers were among those who told committee members during the 
31/2-hour meeting that marijuana can fight intense pain and improve 
other medical issues. The committee passed the measure on a split 
voice vote, sending it to another of several committees that must 
consider the bill before it reaches a full House vote.

A similar bill awaits Senate committee action.

An amendment to ban smoking marijuana and patients growing their own 
marijuana failed 10-8. The amendment would have authorized use of 
pills, liquid, vaporizing and other methods of delivering the 
chemical in marijuana.

Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe, said that eliminating smoking and 
cultivating could attract support from law enforcement officers and 
Gov. Mark Dayton.

Chairwoman Tina Liebling, D-Rochester, accepted only health-related 
testimony Tuesday, reserving comments about public safety or law 
enforcement issues for other committees. Most law enforcement groups 
oppose the measure.

Rep. Carly Melin, D-Hibbing, said her bill would allow "legal, safe 
and regulated treatment for patients who need it."

Beaver and her husband, Josh, sat with their daughter in the 
committee room while she had a brief seizure in front of the panel.

Amelia Beaver was born normal, her mother said, but after 2 1/2 years 
she "lost the ability to talk and communicate."

Angie Beaver said children in similar situations have regained some 
use of their voices after using marijuana. The substance also can 
help reduce seizures, Beaver said.

"I cannot tell you what seizure control means," she said. "You have a life."

Joni Whiting of Jordan told about her daughter, who at age 24 
developed skin cancer.

When the young woman began to use marijuana, against the law, her 
symptoms eased.

"I would rather spend the rest of my life in prison than to deny her 
the marijuana that kept her pain at bay," Whiting said.

Marijuana kept her daughter alive 89 more days, Whiting said.

"For this government to deny those who need medical marijuana to 
lessen the severity of their pain, nausea and seizures is 
unjustifiable," Whiting said. "To threaten the sick and dying, and 
their loved ones, with jail is unconscionable."

Maria Botker came from western Minnesota's Big Stone County to tell 
the story of her youngest daughter, Greta, 7, who now lives in 
Colorado with her father so she can use marijuana to ease her seizures.

In Colorado, she is improving by using a legal liquid form of 
marijuana, her mother said.

"She does not get stoned, she does not get high ..." Botker said. 
"This is so not dangerous to our society."

One of the few arguing against marijuana was Autumn Leva of the 
Minnesota Family Council. She called it "a highly addictive and unproven drug."

Most importantly, she said, "this bill sends entirely the wrong 
message to our youth," telling them it is acceptable to use marijuana.

Many medical groups do not support medical marijuana, Leva said.

Melin's bill would allow a patient who has a doctor's permission to 
have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. Someone allowed to cultivate 
marijuana for his or her own use could have six plants in a locked facility.

Only a person with a "debilitating medical condition" could use 
marijuana under the bill.

Marijuana could not be used on school property or smoked in any public place.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom