Supporters of medical marijuana launch TV ad

Supporters of legislation allowing the use of medical marijuana in Minnesota are launching a television advertising campaign aimed at getting the bill over its final hurdle.

The measure would make it legal for patients with cancer and other diseases to smoke pot, under a doctor's prescription.

A vote is pending in the Minnesota House, but Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he will veto the bill if it lands on his desk.

Neal Levine of the Marijuana Policy Project said TV ads targeting the governor will run statewide later this week.

"We need to get it off the House floor, obviously, to get it on the governor's desk," Levine said. "But once that happens, the governor has three days to act. So we need to start putting pressure on the governor as well, because poll after poll shows that Minnesotans support this by a 2 to 1 margin. So we want Minnesotans to contact the governor and let him know that they support this compassionate legislation."

If the House passes the medical marijuana bill, Levine said he hopes the governor will at least let the measure become law without his signature.

Levine would not give specifics about the group's ad buy, except to say it is six figures and statewide.