Supporters of medical marijuana in Minn. to push again next session

A group that is pushing for the legalization of medical marijuana in Minnesota will renew its efforts in the upcoming legislative session.

Previous attempts have failed. Gov. Mark Dayton has said he will only sign the legislation if it has the endorsement of law enforcement. So far, they've been opposed.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer interviewed Heather Azzi, political director at Minnesotans for Compassionate Care.

Below is a transcript of their conversation, edited for length and clarity.

WURZER: The FDA has not tested or approved marijuana as a medicine. Where are the studies that show marijuana makes for an effective treatment for those with terminal conditions?

AZZI: The science is clear. Marijuana is a safe and effective treatment for a variety of debilitating medical conditions. Countless researchers and organizations have documented the medical benefits of marijuana, including the Institute of Medicine, the American College of Physicians, the American Public Health Association, the American Nurses Association. Its medicine should be based on science and not politics. Our law should reflect the facts and allow doctors to recommend marijuana to patients if they believe it will be effective.

WURZER: The FDA though has not tested or approved marijuana as a medicine.

AZZI: That's correct. The FDA has approved several studies to look into the therapeutic value of marijuana. Unfortunately, the National Institute of Drug Abuse controls the only legal supply for medical marijuana in the entire country, and it requires the Drug Enforcement Administration to approve them to release that marijuana to the researchers. They've blocked it.

WURZER: As you draft a bill, will you set restrictions on which illnesses will be covered by medical marijuana?

AZZI: Oh, of course. Our bill is very carefully crafted to provide the ability for doctors to recommend this medication only to patients that have specific medical conditions that research has shown this is an effective treatment for.

WURZER: Give me an example.

AZZI: Cancer. AIDS. Seizures. We do include pain. Neuropathic pain is notoriously hard to treat, and marijuana is a very effective medication for this.

WURZER: So if I have a bad back, if I'm in constant pain, I could get medical marijuana under your bill?

AZZI: That's a conversation that you will have to have with your physician. Here in Minnesota, we give the ability to determine what medication is the most effective treatment for a particular patient to that doctor. The medical licensing board supervises that process. It'll be exactly the same here. You're not going to be able to walk into any doctor, and walk out with an ID card that will allow you to purchase marijuana. This is nothing like California, or some of those early medical marijuana states.

WURZER: You mentioned California. It is pretty easy for recreational users to get a prescription, and you're confident in Minnesota that would not happen?

AZZI: I am. We've learned lessons now --- in 20 states, plus the District of Columbia now have medical marijuana laws on the books. We've had decades to learn how to do this right, and we get to learn from every single one of these laws.

WURZER: Heather, if you label marijuana medicine is there the perception of this substance that is harmless? Could that lead to increased use of it by young people?

AZZI: There does not appear to be a link between the passage of medical marijuana laws and increases in teen marijuana use. And in some cases, it appears to be associated with decreases in teen use. A 2012 study conducted by researchers at universities in Colorado, Montana and Oregon, found no statistical evidence that legalization increases the probability of teen use, and noted that the data often showed a negative relationship between legalization and teen marijuana use. State surveys of students in several states with medical marijuana laws have consistently reported declines in teen marijuana use since those laws were passed.

WURZER: As I mentioned in my introduction, this is an issue that has come up several times in the Minnesota legislature, but law enforcement has been a potent lobbying force against it. Governor says he'll sign a bill that can be worked out by your group and law enforcement, but it's been tough at this point. How are you going to convince law enforcement leaders to support your legislation?

AZZI: I'm actually not sure that we do need to earn law enforcement's support of medical marijuana. Asking law enforcement to support marijuana is kind of like asking firefighters to support fireworks. It's not really a fair question. I believe that Governor Dayton is looking at this a little differently. He's looking at law enforcement to fulfill their role in helping us to prevent abuse on this law. But we're looking at doctors to determine when and if marijuana should be medically available.

Transcribed by MPR News reporter Liala Helal