Medical marijuana bill blocked in committee'please call the chair

The bipartisan medical marijuana bill recently introduced in the House and Senate is in immediate jeopardy. Senator Becky Lourey (DFL-Kerrick)—the chair of the Health and Family Security Committee and a supporter of the bill—doesn't think she has enough time to schedule the bill for a hearing before the April 5th deadline.

Please call Sen. Lourey's office and ask that she hold a hearing on S.F. 1973, the medical marijuana bill, before April 5th. Be polite—we are trying to persuade her, not alienate her—but let her know that you are a voter and someone who cares strongly about medical marijuana.

Her capitol phone number is 651-296-0293.

You can also e-mail her at sen.becky.lourey@senate.mn and ask her to hold a hearing on medical marijuana on or before the April 5th deadline.

The basic points to get across are:

1. It is important that a timely hearing be held so the bill can build momentum and legislators and the public can be educated about the issue.

2. You are a strong supporter of medical marijuana, and it is an issue that you vote on.

3. It's a tragedy that patients who use medical marijuana are subject to arrest and prison in the state of Minnesota. This must change as soon as possible.

If you want more information on medical marijuana before you call, please click here to get talking points or here to get more background.

Please forward this e-mail on to everyone you know in Minnesota. Sen. Lourey holds the power in her hands to either kill medical marijuana this year, or move it forward. Let's let her know that there's strong support for moving it forward.