Pubdate: Fri, 16 May 2014 Source: Washington Times (DC) Copyright: 2014 The Washington Times, LLC. Contact: http://www.washingtontimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492 Note: From wire dispatches and staff reports STATE REACHES COMPROMISE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL ST. PAUL - Minnesota lawmakers struck a deal Thursday to legalize medical marijuana, handing a major victory to ill children and adults whose emotional appeals for help propelled a major policy change that once appeared dead for the session. Gov. Mark Dayton said he would sign the legislation, which was closer to the House's more restrictive bill than the one first passed by the Senate. Some lamented that the deal doesn't let patients use actual plant material - they instead can use the drug in oil, pill and vapor form - but others were overjoyed. "This will change my daughter's life and thousands of lives around Minnesota," said Angie Weaver of Hibbing, whose 8-year-old daughter is afflicted by a rare form of epilepsy. The compromise bill allows for two manufacturing facilities and eight dispensaries statewide, more than the House bill called for. But it also covers fewer conditions than the Senate favored. From wire dispatches and staff reports - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D