ST. PAUL, MN – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the Medical Cannabis Therapeutic Research Act (SF 2470) with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 86-39. The Minnesota Medical Association, Minnesota Nurses Association and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Minnesota support the bill. Law enforcement does not oppose the bill.
Chief author State Representative Carly Melin (DFL – Hibbing) says the bill will provide safe and legal access to medicine that can improve the quality of life of patients with serious medical conditions across Minnesota.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with patients and families across the state and they have truly convinced me that this is a medicine that can improve their lives and the lives of their loved ones,” said Melin.
Melin became involved in the issue after meeting the Weavers, a family in her district with an 8-year-old daughter, Amelia, suffering from a catastrophic form of epilepsy. Amelia has up to 50 seizures a day, is non-verbal and confined to a pediatric wheelchair most of the time.
“Amelia is not alone,” said Melin. “There are other kids across our state facing this same sort of turmoil. After trying every pharmaceutical possible, some with severe side effects, they have been unable to control their seizures or regain cognitive skills. In other states, medical marijuana is helping children like Amelia. Minnesotans want their children and their loved ones to be able to access medicine in Minnesota that can help improve their quality of life. They can’t wait any longer.”
Melin’s bill implements an observational research study for medical cannabis and would allow limited participation only by children who are suffering and adults with severe illnesses.
Study participants will get their medical cannabis through a single manufacturer and up to two satellite distribution centers, approved and regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). All cultivating, harvesting, manufacturing, packaging and processing would take place at the manufacturer site. Patients must pay a fee to participate in the registry and receive their medical cannabis. The patient registry program enables ongoing study and research of the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis.
Other details of the bill include:
-The Medical Cannabis Therapeutic Research Act will have a fiscal impact of $2.9 million in FY 14-15 and a total of $4.9 million over the next three years.
-Participants in the patient registry program must be Minnesota residents diagnosed with one of the following qualifying medical conditions:
-
Cancer
-
Glaucoma
-
HIV/AIDS
-
Tourette’s syndrome
-
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
-
Seizures, including epilepsy
-
Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis,
-
Crohn’s disease
-MDH estimates that 5,045 Minnesotans will enroll in the observational research study.
-Medical cannabis is allowed in liquid and pill form only. Smoking is prohibited. Vaporizing is allowed but only by using cannabis that comes in liquid or pill form. Vaporized delivery of the plant/leaf is also prohibited.
-The Commissioner may add a delivery form or a qualifying medical condition, as long as notice is provided to the Legislature and the Legislature opts not to pass legislation preventing the requested change.