Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Bill
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Senate passed S.F. 345 – a bipartisan bill to protect seriously ill patients from arrest for using medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation – in a historic vote today, 33–31.
This marks the first time a medical marijuana bill has ever been approved by a full vote in either House in Minnesota.
"I'm happy the Senate has voted to protect some of Minnesota's most vulnerable citizens from the threat of arrest for trying to alleviate their pain, per the advice of their doctor," said Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL–Red Wing), the bill's lead sponsor. "I'm hopeful we are only a few weeks away from Minnesota becoming the 13th medical marijuana state."
Meanwhile, the House version of the medical marijuana bill – H.F. 655 – received the House Finance Committee's approval this morning in a 20–14 vote.
Patients and other advocates are optimistic about the prospects of this measure becoming law this year.
"I am personally grateful for the compassion the Senate has shown today," said Don Haumant, a Minneapolis resident and former legal medical marijuana patient in California, who uses marijuana to treat nausea and severe pain associated with advanced liver disease and multiple musculoskeletal conditions. "On behalf of seriously ill Minnesotans who might benefit from using doctor-recommended medical marijuana, I urge members of the House to follow the example of their colleagues in the Senate, and pass this sensible legislation." | 
