St. Paul, Minnesota – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed SF 2470, a compromise medical marijuana bill. State Representative Joe Radinovich (DFL – Crosby) voted for the bill, which passed with bipartisan support, 86-39. After opposing every other medical marijuana bill, law enforcement is not opposed to this compromise. The Minnesota Medical Association has also signaled they do not oppose the bill, calling it the “more useful, measured approach.” The Minnesota Nurses Association and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Minnesota also support the bill.
“This is a tightly controlled, targeted bill to help those suffering from serious conditions, mostly children,” said Rep. Radinovich. “We heard heart-wrenching stories from parents whose children are suffering and medical marijuana is the only thing that helps their children’s condition. We need to be compassionate and help these children — some of whom suffer 30-50 seizures a day or more — and that’s what we’re doing with this bill.”
The bill establishes a patient registry program through which patients can use medical marijuana and through which Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will study the efficacy of medical marijuana. Patients must have a specified qualifying medical condition, diagnosed and certified by a licensed health practitioner, in order to participate in the registry.
Registry program patients will get their medical marijuana through a single manufacturer, approved and regulated by MDH. Patients must pay a fee to participate in the registry program and for their medical marijuana. Patient data is shared with MDH, enabling MDH to study and research the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana.
Qualifying conditions include cancer, Glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Tourette’s syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, seizures, including epilepsy; severe and persistent muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis; Crohn’s disease, or any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the Commissioner of Health.
Medical marijuana is allowed in liquid and pill form only. Smoking marijuana is prohibited. Vaporizing is allowed but only by using marijuana that comes in liquid or pill form.
“This is a good compromise that addresses the concerns of law enforcement and the medical community while still helping those in need,” added Rep. Radinovich. “I hope we can get a bill signed into law this session, and I think this is the right approach to get it done.”
Rep. Radinovich encourages constituents to contact him with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Radinovich can be reached by phone at 651-296-2365 or by email at rep.joe.radinovich@house.mn. Constituents can also visit Rep. Radinovich’s legislative page and sign up for email updates.