Terminally ill Minnesotans hoping to use medical marijuana to ease their pain will have to seek relief some other way.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a measure that would have allowed doctors to prescribe medical marijuana to patients suffering from certain terminal and debilitating conditions.
Sponsored by Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) and Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), the bill would have made Minnesota the 14th state to allow medical use of marijuana. A regulatory process would have been set up through the Health Department, requiring patients to possess special photo identification cards and providing for licensing of marijuana dispensaries.
The bill passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support — and bipartisan opposition — following a series of committee hearings earlier in the session where advocates for medical marijuana pressed their case by emphasizing the benefits to cancer patients and others. Survivors of cancer victims gave testimony that marijuana — obtained illegally — was the only thing that increased the quality of life for their loved ones during their final days and weeks.
The bill included a sunset date of Oct. 1, 2011. This was a concession made in an attempt to assuage concerns from law enforcement. According to Rukavina, the proposal would have been much more restrictive than medical marijuana laws in other states.
Opponents of the measure cited widespread opposition from the law enforcement community, who expressed concerns about whether it would increase the street availability of marijuana. Many argued it would also send the wrong message to young people about the potential dangers of using marijuana.
In his veto letter, Pawlenty echoed these sentiments, stating the bill posed “serious public safety and health risks.
“While I am very sympathetic to those dealing with end-of-life illnesses and accompanying pain, I stand with law enforcement in opposition to this legislation,” the governor wrote.
Noting that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved and does not regulate medical marijuana, Pawlenty stated that the scientific evidence regarding the benefits and risks of medical marijuana is “insufficient.”
HF292/SF97*/CH166
HHS bill is DOA but hoping for CPR
Supporters cite gaining federal funds, governor concerned about spending
(view full story)
Published 5/13/2010
House passes HHS budget bill
Members reluctantly vote for cuts; governor says bill is too costly
(view full story)
Published 5/6/2010
Not cutting as deep
Although painful now, omnibus HHS budget bill could set stage for reform
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2010
Revisiting GAMC
Program participation questionable, hospitals favor earlier federal reform
(view full story)
Published 4/22/2010
A distress call for SOS?
State Operated Services plans programmatic redesign, amidst criticism
(view full story)
Published 4/22/2010
Minnesota Index: Health coverage
Figures and statistics on health coverage and other vitals
(view full story)
Published 4/22/2010
Inking a deal for donors
State oversight of body arts could reduce donor deferrals
(view full story)
Published 4/15/2010
Nursing a level playing field
Sides differ on who should pay for nursing home costs
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2010
Saying ‘sorry’
House resolution would apologize for practices done decades ago
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2010
And the cupboard is bare
More Minnesotans struggle to put food on the table
(view full story)
Published 2/25/2010
Future of GAMC uncertain
Legislators consider health care for state’s poor, sick
(view full story)
Published 2/11/2010
At Issue: Health care law quagmire
Sustainability at issue in law line-item vetoed by governor
(view full story)
Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: More compromise, more reductions
Cuts in health and human services finance bill called ‘painful’
(view full story)
Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Cuts hang in the balance
Much depends on tax increases
(view full story)
Published 5/1/2009
At Issue: Providing ‘pretty darn good coverage’
A new approach to public health could save millions in benefits, advocates say
(view full story)
Published 4/10/2009
First Reading: Complex problem, complex solution
Cuts to health and human services could create reform opportunity
(view full story)
Published 4/3/2009
Minnesota Index: Health boards
Figures and statistics on health licensing board in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 3/13/2009
At Issue: Medical marijuana
Controversial treatment clears first committee hurdle
(view full story)
Published 2/20/2009
Minnesota Index: Less lighting up
Figures and statistics on smoking in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 2/20/2009