Pubdate: Wed, 05 Mar 2014
Source: Minnesota Daily (U of MN,  Minneapolis, MN Edu)
Copyright: 2014 Minnesota Daily
Contact:  http://www.mndaily.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1280
Author: Jessica Lee, Roy Aker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)

LEGISLATURE TALKS MEDICAL MARIJUANA

A Bill Legalizing Medical Marijuana Had Its First Committee Hearing Tuesday.

The discussion of whether to allow medical marijuana in Minnesota 
kicked off in the state Legislature on Tuesday, marking the 
proposal's first step in the legislative process.

The House's Health and Human Services Policy Committee weighed the 
pros and cons of legalization in front of a packed hearing punctuated 
by emotional testimony.

Authored by Rep. Carly Melin, DFL-Hibbing, the measure would allow 
people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer or HIV 
to use marijuana based on a doctor's recommendation. If it passes, 
individuals with state-issued medical marijuana identification cards 
could purchase or grow up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.

It's the first time the state Legislature is considering the change 
in state law since former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, vetoed a 
medical marijuana bill in 2009.

The bill already has strong DFL support, with 33 DFLers and two 
Republicans listed as co-authors.

Last month, a Star Tribune poll found that 51 percent of Minnesotans 
support legalizing medical marijuana, while 41 percent oppose 
changing state drug laws.

Legislative committees will discuss the bill in the upcoming weeks 
before it's potentially taken up on the House or Senate floors. If 
passed, the bill would take effect this summer.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom