House Fails to Act on Medical Marijuana Bill
CONTACT: Neal Levine, MCC director, 612-326-6690 ex. 802
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA The Minnesota House of Representatives adjourned today without taking final action on the medical marijuana bill, H.F. 655, but supporters say they are well-positioned for passage next year. Because Minnesota legislators meet in a two-year session, next year's drive will begin with the legislation having already passed the Senate, and with the momentum of an unbroken string of committee wins.
"We are in a very strong position to pass this sensible, compassionate bill into law next year, and making sure that happens will be a top priority," said Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth).
"Passage of the medical marijuana bill in the Senate this year gave the effort incredible momentum, and I look forward to passing the House in 2008," added Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing).
One exception to the legislation's broad support was Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), who expressed opposition, but co-sponsor and former House speaker Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon) said he hasn't given up hope. "I look forward to having a continuing dialogue with the governor about the need to protect seriously ill patients who use medical marijuana, and about the safeguards built into this legislation," he said. "I'm confident we will pass it when we return next year because it's the right thing to do."
In April, New Mexico became the latest state to protect medical marijuana patients when Gov. Bill Richardson a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination signed his state's medical marijuana bill into law. The other states with medical marijuana laws are Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
"As states like New Mexico continue to step forward and new research continues to document the relief that medical marijuana can provide for suffering patients, the momentum is overwhelming," said Neal Levine, director of Minnesotans for Compassionate Care. "No Minnesotan should fear arrest and jail simply for trying to stay alive, and I have no doubt that 2008 will be the year that protection for patients becomes law." |
