Medical marijuana bills are curling through the Legislature, a Senate bill last week clearing yet another committee. But state law enforcement opposes the legislation. And their support is critical. Medical marijuana initiative has advanced previous sessions but never so far. Supporters depict the illegal drug as offering pain relief to the terminally ill and those afflicted with chronic pain. A number of state health care organizations, including the Minnesota Nurses Association and Minnesota AIDS Project, support access to medical marijuana. The legislation boasts bipartisan support -- representatives Chris DeLaForest, R-Andover, Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, and Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, back the House bill. [continues 676 words]
A medical marijuana bill carried by a DFL gubernatorial candidate failed in a Senate committee on Thursday (March 2) and perhaps failed for the session. Sen. Steve Kelley, DFL-Hopkins, has had success earlier with his bill but negative votes in the Senate Judiciary Committee left the senator contemplating Senate rules for other options. Kelley's bill attempts to establish a framework under which people suffering from medical ailments and conditions could obtain marijuana. Marijuana use is illegal in Minnesota. Darrell Paulsen, of St. Paul, testified that he has used marijuana for 15 years to lessen the rigidity and other symptoms of his cerebral palsy. "I live my life from a power wheelchair," said Paulsen. [continues 201 words]
