Printer-friendly version
PDF version
The debate over legalizing medical marijuana has returned to the state Legislature for the ninth time since 1999. Last session, a medical marijuana bill passed the Senate, but the House didn’t vote on it before the session ended.
This session, both the House and the Senate are debating bills that would legalize the use of medical marijuana for use by patients diagnosed with a short list of debilitating conditions.
That list includes cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, hepatitis C, Tourette’s syndrome and other conditions approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Health.
The bills specify that qualifying patients would be able to receive a permit to possess up to 2.5 ounces of useable marijuana, and grow up to 12 plants from the Minnesota Commissioner of Health after receiving a doctor’s recommendation and a background check.
Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing , the chief author of both the 2007 Senate bill and this year’s bill, said the issue of medical marijuana had been brought to the Legislature several times by other legislators, but none of those bills went anywhere and were all voted down by committees.
Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan, is one of the House co-authors of the bill, and said he supports the legalization of medical marijuana because he believes the number one indication of a bad law is when it makes essentially good people into lawbreakers.
Buesgens said when his mother was dying of cancer last year she tried a number of things to treat her pain and loss of appetite.
He said he would gladly have become a lawbreaker to provide her with marijuana if she had wanted him to.
Murphy said this year’s bill provides tight regulation and should avoid the problems created by less specific medical marijuana laws in states like California.
For example, under the new bill, any person who transfers their possession permit or medical marijuana to an unauthorized person would be guilty of a felony , while under current state law, possession of less than two ounces of marijuana is a misdemeanor.
One of the main criticisms of the medical marijuana bill last year was that it didn’t provide regulations that were specific enough.
Murphy said the bill’s main opponents in the law enforcement community haven’t come to talk to him about ways to improve the bill, but have just shown up at the committee hearings to bad mouth it.
James Franklin, the executive director for the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association, said the law enforcement community is worried about regulatory issues, but the association’s main concern is the ethical dilemma of telling officers not to enforce a federal law.
If the issue with the federal law was taken care of, he said, his association would be more open to discussing specific stipulations — like centralized production — for a stronger bill.
Murphy said the bill has a good chance of passing in both houses of the Legislature this session, but is worried about the governor vetoing it.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s spokesman Brian McClung said in an e-mail that the governor stands with law enforcement in opposition to the bill.
H.F. 292 is scheduled for a hearing before the House’s Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee on Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. in room 10 of the State Office Building.
Serving the University of Minnesota Community since 1900
21 Comments
To comment, please login.
Cannabis Prohibition Works!
"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." -Abraham Lincoln U.S. President.
Who cares about what Lincoln said anyway if just one law enforcement officer were to believe that Lincoln propaganda nonsence we'd be a land of lawlessness and disorder! Cops have authority over civilians and just because G. Bush Jr. is not in office anymore don't start thinking you pot heads somehow got some kind of freedom now to talk about and smoke that demon weed!!!!
have u ever been in pain and
have u ever been in pain and taken any narcotic painkillers and if not u then someone close 2 u? We have in this country a huge epidemic coming with over use and and abuse of opiate narcotics perscribed by physicians yet these painkillers when u chose to stop or no longer need them will cause ut to go through serious physical withdrawls and this is legal as where the use of marijuana when u stop smoking there is no physical withdrawls what kind of country do we live in when we allow our public to become addicted to something that will hurt us when we try to stop it and prohibit the use of something that may help their situation without bcoming physically addicted 2 it.
See how much US Cities & States can make off taxing Marijuana
See how much our US Cities, States, Country and households could save on taxes if Marijuana were decriminalized, then sign the petition:
MarijuanaLobby.org Change we can engage in...
The Tree of Life!
Archaeological evidence supports that cannabis was one of the first cultivated crops by early man, used for food, its fibers, for medicine, and Spirituality. The cannabis hemp seed is the single most nutritionally complete food source on earth, its fibers are the longest and strongest in nature, it is without equal in medicinal benefits, and was a sacrament in many beliefs.
The Egyptians called it Shemshemet, the Sumerians A.ZAL.LA, the Chinese Ma, the Zoroastrians Haoma, the Persians Shadanaj, in Sanskrit it is Bhang, and the Hebrews called it Kaneh bosm.
Cannabis and THC are proven to destroy tumors, promote the growth of brain cells, are a superior inhibitor of the plaque that causes Alzheimers, kills MRSA, and safely treats autism, epilepsy, migraine, arthritis, asthma, emphysema, chronic pain, nausea, depression, diabetes, tuberculosis, glaucoma, muscular dystrophy, MS, ALS, OCD, ADHD, anxiety, anorexia, herpes, cystic fibrosis, lupus, alcoholism, Parkinsons, Huntingtons, Tourettes, Crohn's disease, and more with the only side effects being an increased appetite which is healthy, and a feeling of well being which some people don't want you to have! It is the safest medicine known to man, it cannot kill you!
Anything made from oil, coal, timber, or cotton can be made ecologically friendly with cannabis hemp. All paper, plastics, fuels, lubricants, paints, varnishes, textiles, plywood, insulations, many cosmetics, health foods, and medicines, over 25,000 earth friendly products can be made from this one single resource. The word canvas is derived from cannabis. It is the # 1 source of biomass on the planet, at the very minimum four times as efficient per acre than corn for ethanol. It grows with little or no fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides to foul the soil and water, and in climates and conditions other crops won't grow.
The reason cannabis is illegal never had anything to do with its effects on our health. The reason cannabis is illegal is because billionaires want to remain billionaires, and they control the media. Our generation has been censored of the Truth and brainwashed to believe the most historically useful plant on the planet is evil!
The leaves of the Tree are for the healing of nations. No longer will there be any curse.
This is not such a joke
The beauty of this is that the more states that keep legalizing medical marijuana pop up, the more the federal government will begin to question it's integrity on such issues as laws on marijuana prohibition.
That chart is quite helpful, and since it's from MPP I will use to as a visual aid for my blog's visitors. The big battles begin at the state level and then end up at the federal. Brown v. Board of Education was a local issue that turned into a national issue. But it began in the small town of Topeka, Kansas.
It sounds like this guy has his head on straight and added proper provisions for this bill's security. Let's all hope it gets passed. Pennsylvania coming soon!
Conflicting Messages
I've made note of the fact that currently small possession is a misdemeanor since 1976 many times and wonder why marijuana enforcement suddenly becomes a police priority once again ONLY when it pertains to medical marijuana. Does this make sense to anyone? Why is is no big deal for the average person to possess it, but all of this opposition comes out of the woodwork when it comes to not wanting to prosecute the sick and dying.
Pawlenty is grandstanding yet again for his own gains. Sadly, he's the only one who hasn't realized that his national political aspirations are going nowhere. He'll continue to send his "tough on crime" message at the expense of the sick and dying. What a public servant! KSTP polled Minnesotans last year when legislation was being debated and upwards of 65% of Minnesotans agreed that patients should have access if their doctor recommends medical marijuana. We could place this issue on a ballot initiative, but why make vulnerable people wait for a vote? Rep. Mark Buesgens, a REPUBLICAN, has the right idea. Why make criminals out of perfectly law-abiding citizens? Pawlenty is out of touch.
Its our choice and that's how
Its our choice and that's how its always going to be. They can use poor judgment and put innocent people in jail all they want, it isn't going to stop people from using something that is their god given right. It helps people that are in pain, who are they to say we must suffer because they don't understand the plant? I thought that this country was for the people, what happened?
Who are the feds kidding,
Who are the feds kidding, their just wasting our hard earned American tax dollars while failing miserably to stop people from using a plant, that an overwhelming population of Americans support, and were supposed to be ok with this, even though it puts innocent people in jail, and costs us, the tax payers even more money? Then when they get out of jail they cant get a job because of their record, and we end up paying even MORE MONEY to support them through assistance programs funded by the American tax dollar. Pure genius Washington. Time to catch up with reality on this subject, and listen to the people before this too leads to financial ruin. Are officials really this ignorant,no wonder our country is where it is, we don't have people smart enough running things, and this is America, what a sad day it is in America!
LOL, its so funny how people
LOL, its so funny how people get so worked up over marijuana, its just a plant that mellows you out when you smoke it, that's it, that's all it does to you, makes you tired and gives you a sweet tooth, wow so dangerous, we better all look out for that crazy person who might have some marijuana, he might get comfy on the couch and watch a movie, look out everyone, its for your own safety LOL Exactly how much tax dollars are used to stop this from happening? And were currently are in how much dept? How smart are our law makers?
Listen to all you pot heads!
Listen to all you pot heads! Marijuana creates an empty shell out of a once vibrant and colorful person. As the mindless zombies walk out street looking for grannies to rob and kids to beat up for their pot only to go home and beat their children (if they even have the motivation to do so). Pot users eventually fail at every aspect of life as they go on murdurous rampages in order to secure their next fix. Marijuana is by far the worst drug in the world because it leads every user to use even worse drugs. If it were legalized cities would crumble as everyone would kill tog et their hands on their drug. Devil's weed! I'm surprised you pot heads even have the motvation to type on a keyboard, or even pay for the internet. I bet you all broke into someones house and forced them to type out your messages as you threaten their lives. Marijuana kills so many people. If it doesn't kill you in the first month of using it, half of your brain cells are dead. The other half are all firing at once saying "GIVE ME MORE POT OR ELSE." It makes you bald and turns you into a bad person. At least it kills you, you bad people.
The irony that someone named
The irony that someone named "I know everything" would be the posterchild of ignorance. What are your sources, other than the Bible and Reefer Madness? Fool. If you'll look at any empirically verified scientific studies, you will realize that each and every one of the statements you just made is entirely false. Literally all violence related to cannabis is due entirely to the black market. No study has ever proven any form of chemical or physical dependence. No study has ever proven that marijuana is a "gateway drug," despite the commonly stated myth. Cities would not crumble, primary example: Amsterdam. Marijuana has never killed a human, nor will it ever. It's a biochemical impossibility. The rest of your claims are even more sophomoric, so I won't bother addressing them.
is any one here
Hello Dr Duke , I am looking for people in MN to talk to about the upcoming legalization of Medical Marijuana, It looks like it will pass this time, Don''t you think so?
the herb is the healing of a
the herb is the healing of a nation. marijuana has never killed anyone and gives a person no desire to go home and hurt there children. marijuana gives people a spiritual and positive outlook on life and has many uses that would benefit people. the world would be much better if everyone were to smoke marijuana
Well whats funny is that they
Well whats funny is that they listen to law enforcement! I think that is a contradiction in how our whole system works! law enforcement not lobbyists, they are there to enforce the law that the public through representation needs. Not the other way around. Maybe lets cut back on narcotic police funding and put the drugs in the hands of doctors. spend on treatment not punishment. Granted some of the cooks on cops give drug use a bad name but they are people willingly killing themselves and with a proper treatment program they could be productive instead of destructive.. ok some of them.
All i have to say if cannabis
All i have to say if cannabis was legalized it would help the economy right opening a bunch of jobs.
medical marijuana
Cannabis has been used for about 4,000 years for medical purposes. In Taiwan about 10,000 years ago the people of that country used marijuana for fiber. It’s important to mention that it’s not the social threat authorities believe it to be. On http://medicalpot.com . you can find out more about the wide range of medical applications of pot in treating diseases such as convulsions, asthma, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, schizophrenia.
Personal Use and Cultivation Permit
Support a personal use and cultivation permit: $100 for twelve plants. Let's let ordinary Americans grow a little marijuana in their own backyards and put the criminal drug lords out of business.
getting ready
is anyone out there getting ready if the law does pass, I am interested in bloging with anyone on the subject of medical marijuana
cannibis
i live in mn and all i can say is i wish this would have come about sooner, my grandfather was dying of cancer and i saw him suffer in terrible ways. i believe this would have helped him greatly. oh and Dr. Duke your post is a joke if what you say is true of pot heads why dont you compare your post to ones is support of the bill and see how much of yours is based on fact.
p.s.- i dont smoke weed either but i believe it can help in the case of extreme suffering
louis vuitton
I’d love to discuss louis vuitton replica, but I am not sure if you really have one.
Gucci Signoria Ladies Watch YA116302 watch
r inclination Breitling Navitimer 18kt Yellow Gold Steel Mens Watch D2332212-C5-404 culpability action irrefutable knock Rado Sintra 18kt Yellow Gold and Black Ceramic Diamond Ladies Watch R13337721 off considering diamond itself. cheap replica watches Cubic zirconia has its great quality replica confess refinement. Unfortunately, considering Tissot replica watches it has ofttimes been Raymond Weil Shine Ladies Watch 1500-ST1-05303 used to emulator diamonds, Patek Philippe Complicated Perpetual Calendar 18kt White Gold Mens Watch 3940G rubies, sapphires also emeralds, Concord Replica cubic zirconia jewelry is replica watches sales much though of due Breitling Professional Aerospace Mens Watch E79362 to imitation jewelry, or Dior handbags handbag Shopping for less fakes. Diamonds are designer handbags for less a girl's foremost friend, designer handbags knockoffs and her guy's bank Gucci handbags handbag Shopping for less account's worst dissenter. A Louis Vuitton Wallets handbag Shopping for less decent-sized diamond care chewed Gucci handbags designer handbag price thousands, or aligned Balenciaga 1084322-Grey Handbag knockoffs tens of thousands of replica handabgs shopping for less dollars. uncut that central quality louis vuitton bags befitting to presume true Marc Jacobs 7892-Bronze 7892-3 a sparkly boast on her distinguish or ears or around her throat. Okay, when luxury swiss corporeal comes to a Emporio Armani Replica Watches married proposal, thing less Cartier Tonneau 18kt White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch WE400131 watch than a diamond talent Porsche Design Indicator Mens Watch 6910.69.40.1149 watch markedly totally disappoint her. replica watches 2009 But if blonde declines Chanel Replica Watches the proposal, therefrom what? IWC Replica Watches A all there replica Cartier Santos 100 Diamond 18kt Rose Gold XL Mens Watch WM502351 entrance is to betterment replica Porsche Design PTC 911 Limited Edition Mens Watch 6612.11.20 close her unrivaled of Cartier Pasha Automatic Mens Watch W31072M7 watch those cubic zirconia melee rings. They survey savor a true diamond fracas but watches replica cost a miniature any watches replica of the payment. If watches replica wench accepts the proposal, watches replica therefore lick complete her watches replica a certain diamond. Or watches replica if she'd quite you watch replica spend the money on watch replica your works together also best watch replica on a outstanding honeymoon, watches replica you could fulfill cubic zirconia nuptial rings to store money. Weddings aside, assumed jewelry discount Ugg Napoule Sandal absolutely is a girl's discount Soft Lilac Ugg Matala 5105 Sandal supreme individual if skirt ugg boots sale has to kitty seeing discount Black KnightsBridge UGG Boots 5119 them herself. Fancy discount UGG Classic Tall the marvelous rubie and discount Ugg Matala Sandal diamond necklace your favourite discount Chocolate Ugg Classic Tall Boots celeb wore weight a Sapphire UGG Australia Womens Gypsy Sandal outlet movie? How about J.Lo's knockoff Chocolate New UGG Bailey Button Metalic Fancy Boot 5809 nuptial crash? Or the knockoff Sand Ugg Mayfaire Boots conjecture regalia empitic at the oscars. How would those treasure glimpse on Unisex 2mm Stainless Steel Wedding Band outlet you? Can't implement cheap Pendants & Necklaces them? Probably not fake 14K Gold Fine Trillion Cut Faux Diamond Tennis Bracelet the ones the stars fashion Three Stone CZ Jewelry are fatiguing which are replica earrings universal okay harbour natural designer replica jewelry diamonds, emeralds, sapphire also celebrity jewelry rubies, again recur keep Designer Inspired Simulated Pearl & CZ Cable Bracelet online sales from bodyguards to ward Gold Champagne CZ Simple Eternity Band outlet take compulsion take thieves. Sapphire & Aqua Jewelry outlet That doesn't execrable you'll accept to resolve invisible jewel