Marijuana for medical purposes

Still alive after a year is a bill that would allow marijuana use for qualifying patients with illnesses such as cancer, glaucoma or a chronic disease.

HF655/SF345*, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth) and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), would allow qualifying patients to receive 2.5 ounces of marijuana, 12 plants or any amount of other parts of the plant. A patient would be required to obtain a registry identification card and have a written certification from a practitioner with a statement of how the potential benefits of the use of marijuana would alleviate the condition or related symptoms.

The bill was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee April 9 and now goes to the House floor. It was approved by the committee last session, but was referred back from the General Register after not being heard on the House floor. The Senate passed the bill 35-29 last year.

An appropriation of $401,000 would be placed in the state government special revenue fund for this fiscal year for the health commissioner to implement the changes.

Proponents previously said that, in some cases, conventional treatment just doesn’t work. Opponents argued it would pit Minnesota against federal law and would confuse youth who have been consistently taught that the drug is wrong and illegal.