Clinical trials deal moves medical marijuana bill forward in Minn. House

Minnesota House Democrats unveiled a scaled-back medical marijuana proposal on Thursday that would create limited clinical trials for children and adults suffering from severe illnesses.

Supporters said police and prosecutors would not oppose the compromise, which would let many sick patients use medical marijuana to treat their ailments.

Critics, however, say the deal has serious shortcomings.

The measure incorporates Gov. Mark Dayton's plan to create clinical trials for patients suffering from seizures, HIV, cancer and other conditions, said bill sponsor Carly Melin, DFL-Hibbing.

"We have come to an approach that we think has the best possibility of becoming law while helping the most amount of people," Melin said. It's unlikely the state would get federal approval for the research, which is why the plan also requires a state-based manufacturer of the medication if no federal source is available, she added.

The bill would legalize medical marijuana in oil and pill form. People could vaporize the leaf form of the drug but only if a licensed health care provider is present.

The compromise would not allow patients to smoke the drug, and does not authorize marijuana dispensaries in Minnesota.

The proposal will not help everyone, Melin acknowledged. "I don't like that some people are being left out," she said. "But if we can do something for some people ... I think that that's actually a pretty big victory for the cause and a lot of these families." Melin and House Democrats have been working to find a compromise that is acceptable to police and prosecutors who worry about greater access to the drug.

The compromise addresses most of law enforcement's concerns, said John Kingrey with the Minnesota County Attorneys Association.

"We've strongly supported tightly controlled clinical studies, which this bill does," he said. "We were concerned for any potential for diversion which this proposal appears to eliminate."

Kingrey also said the trials will help them determine if marijuana is effective as a medicine.

Several parents of sick children are hoping that's the case. Those parents and their children have been a constant presence at the Capitol this session, calling on lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana. They hope the drug reduces the number of seizures their children have.

Angie Weaver from Hibbing says her seven-year-old daughter Amelia has 30 to 50 seizures a day. Before the agreement, Weaver said she was thinking about moving to Colorado to get medicine for her daughter.

"I am grateful that this bill has come out so Amelia can have some quality of life and my family can stay in Minnesota," Weaver said. "I believe this is our best option. I believe this will get the medicine in her hands the fastest..."

Critics, however, say it's unlikely Weaver will get her wish under the proposed compromise.

The provision will not provide medication to any patients and could put doctors in jeopardy, said Heather Azzi with Minnesotans for Compassionate Care, a group lobbying for the legalization of medical marijuana.

The compromise is unworkable because doctors would not be willing to prescribe medical marijuana or be present when patients vaporize the drug, she said.

The House Rules Committee will take up the proposal Friday. A separate medical marijuana bill is working its way through the Minnesota Senate.

Azzi says she continues to back the Senate bill, which creates marijuana dispensaries and allows the drug to be smoked.

That bill's sponsor, Minneapolis DFL Sen. Scott Dibble, said he isn't willing to drop his proposal, although he didn't rule out the House deal.

Dayton has opposed legalizing medical marijuana if it's in leaf form or smoked.

He issued a statement Thursday saying he wanted to learn about the cost and legal implications of the proposal before making a decision.