Pubdate: Fri, 16 May 2014
Source: Park Rapids Enterprise (MN)
Copyright: 2014 Forum Communications Co.
Contact: (218) 732-8757
Website: http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5216
Author: Don Davis

MINNESOTA MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMPROMISE BRINGS TEARS OF HAPPINESS

ST. PAUL - Angie Weaver shed tears, again.

"This means the world to our family," the Hibbing mother said between
tears of joy Thursday, hoping her daughter will be able to use
marijuana extracts to ease up to 50 seizures she has a day. "This is
going to help thousands of Minnesotans. ... My daughter is going to be
able to stay in Minnesota and grow up with her cousins."

Amelia Weaver, 8, sat next to her mother, who has showed tears several
times in the past weeks, Thursday as legislators and other medical
marijuana supporters announced they have reached a compromise to allow
marijuana extracts to be used to treat several medical conditions.

The Weavers and Katelyn Pauling's family of Montevideo have become
regulars in the Minnesota Capitol this year supporting medical
marijuana. They have faced continual ups and downs.

"It's been like the wildest roller coaster I've been on ..." said
Katelyn's father, Jeremy. "It's taking every part of me not to cry
now."

State House and Senate votes are planned Friday as time runs out on
the 2014 legislative session. The bill is expected to pass.

"We have all heard from people who live in our districts, people who
would benefit from this legislation," said House bill author Rep.
Carly Melin, D-Hibbing.

Rep. Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake, said he started out opposing
medical marijuana, even though it could help his multiple sclerosis
symptoms. But his mind changed after talking to Weaver and others.

"Meeting the individuals we're helping, that's what it's all about."
Hamilton said.

About 5,000 Minnesotans a month could benefit from marijuana, state
officials say.

The compromise calls for two manufacturing operations and eight
distributions points around the state. The bill would not allow
smoking marijuana or use of the plant, although it would allow
whole-plant extracts that could make users high.

Law enforcement groups are expected to remain neutral on the issue and
Gov. Mark Dayton announced his support after saying for weeks that he
cannot back a medical marijuana bill that lacks law enforcement and
medical organizations' support.

"I look forward to signing this bill into law," Dayton said, pledging
that his administration "will do everything possible to implement it
as swiftly and successfully as is possible."

Rep. Dan Schoen, D-St. Paul Park, said many police officers have
supported medical marijuana all along.

The Cottage Grove police officer said the bill "is the strictest and
most regulated in the country." Twenty-one states allow medical
marijuana use.

If the Minnesota bill becomes law, marijuana pills and liquids will be
available to patients in mid-2015. Their health care providers, mostly
doctors, would have to recommend that they be added to a registry.

Medical marijuana could be used to treat some cancer that is
accompanied by severe pain, nausea or severe vomiting; glaucoma;
HIV-AIDS; Tourette's syndrome; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; severe
and persistent muscle spasms such as those in multiple sclerosis
patients; some forms of seizures; Crohn's disease; and terminal
illnesses accompanied by some specific complications.

A major difference between bills passed by the House and Senate was
that the House only allowed three places for people to buy marijuana
pills and liquids in the state, while 55 were approved in the Senate
measure.

One of the prime backers of medical marijuana had a mixed
reaction.

"This is a big step forward for Minnesota, but it will leave a lot of
Minnesotans behind," said Heather Azzi of Minnesotans for
Compassionate Care. "Some aspects of the law raise serious concerns
about the extent to which many seriously ill people will be able to
access medical marijuana. We hope legislators will be ready to address
them next session."
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MAP posted-by: Matt