Pubdate: Sun, 16 Mar 2014
Source: Journal, The (New Ulm, MN)
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/MLnA8HJ7
Copyright: 2014 Ogden Newspapers Inc.
Website: http://www.nujournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5496
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

NEW ULM MAN TO BATTLE IN COURT FOR RIGHT TO USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

NEW ULM - A New Ulm man charged with growing and selling marijuana 
will argue in court that he has a constitutional right to make his 
own health decisions, according to his attorneys.

Calvin P. Johnson and Elizabeth Levine of Mankato, said in a press 
release Saturday that John Hansen II "is fighting for his personal, 
individual right to use an effective remedy to treat his unmitigated 
and enduring anxiety... Through using marijuana, Jon gains benefits 
which he does not gain by any other means."

"Jon will show that this government lacks the power to ban 
marijuana," the press release said. The attorneys said the 9th 
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reserves rights to the people "for 
our self determination, including our right to a healthy lifestyle."

Hansen's next court appearance is a brief hearing scheduled for 
Tuesday, March 18, at 8:30 a.m. in the Brown County Courthouse.

The attorneys claim the State of Minnesota is wrong to classify 
marijuana as a Schedule I drug, a classification reserved for drugs 
that have no accepted medical value.

There is a bill pending in the Minnesota Legislature to legalize 
medical marijuana. The bill has been deadlocked, with opponents 
refusing to support it without the approval of Minnesota's law 
enforcement agencies.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom