Medical marijuana supporters try again

House and Senate sponsors say medical marijuana is more than a public policy issue, it's also personal. They say their support is tied to experiences of watching relatives deal with unbearable pain.

Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, remembers his father's battle against the cancer that eventually took his life.

"I don't know if my dad would have chosen medicinal marijuana to help relieve some of his pain, but he didn't even have the option," said Murphy. "And we want to give families, like the ones that are here today -- we want to give them that option."

Murphy's bill would make it legal for patients with cancer and other diseases to smoke pot, under a doctor's prescription. The measure would allow patients and their physicians to make treatment decisions without fear of being busted under state drug laws.

In testimony before the Health, Housing and Family Security Committee, Joni Whiting described how marijuana helped her daughter deal with the pain of terminal cancer.

"In retrospect, I can tell you with conviction that I would have no problem going to jail for acquiring medical marijuana for my suffering child," said Whiting. "The law is unjust. And I would have rather spent the rest of my life in prison than have denied her the medicine that kept her pain at bay, and allowed her to live 89 more days."

This isn't the first time lawmakers have considered the medical marijuana issue. Last year the Senate passed a bill allowing it, but the House never voted on the bill.

"It will help legitimize the broader acceptance of marijuana in the community's eyes."

Several law enforcement groups have been among the loudest opponents of the bill, but only one group testified at the hearing. The executive director of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association told lawmakers that medical marijuana is a public safety issue.

Other opponents agree. Tom Prichard, president of the Minnesota Family Council, said the bill would put society at risk and send a bad message to young people.

"Our concern also is this will allow marijuana dispensaries to set up shop across the state -- in homes, in storefronts, on main street, in neighborhoods and apartment buildings," said Prichard. "It will help legitimize, frankly, the broader acceptance of marijuana in the community's eyes. In the eyes of young children who are told that marijuana is a dangerous, addictive drug, they're now going to be told this is medicine."

The House version of the bill is sponsored by Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia. He says the bill includes more than enough regulation and penalties to address the concerns of law enforcement. Anyone who would abuse their medical marijuana privileges would face felony charges.

Rukavina says there are more important things for law enforcement to do than oppose the medical marijuana bill.

"Who in this room is going to go to their police chief or sheriff for brain surgery? You know they should stick with the issues that they're knowledgeable on," he said.

Rukavina says he hopes Gov. Tim Pawlenty keep an open mind about the legislation. But Pawlenty doesn't appear to be budging.

The Republican governor says he continues to stand with law enforcement in opposing the bill.

"I'm really taking my cues from the law enforcement community. They're the ones who have to deal with the drug issue in Minnesota. They're on the front lines of it. They have the expertise and the knowledge. And they're indicating this is a major, major concern," said Pawlenty.

The Senate version of the medical marijuana bill is now headed to the Judiciary Committee. The House bill is still waiting for its first hearing.

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