Minnesota Legislature's chamber doors close on medical marijuana bills

Published: May 26, 2006

Despite 2-1 public support for medical marijuana legislation, endorsements from reputable health organizations, and four committee victories, Sen. Steve Kelley’s (DFL-Hopkins) bipartisan medical marijuana bill, S.F. 1973, died on the Minnesota Senate floor when the legislature adjourned on Sunday. Although this was a historic session—the first in which a medical marijuana bill has reached the Senate floor, after only two years of MPP's lobbying—this is a disappointment for seriously ill Minnesotans who will likely have to wait another year to be shielded from arrest and prison. But the fight to protect the state’s medical marijuana patients is not over. If you’ve already taken action to get us this far, thank you; but now we need your help to gear up for next year.

Please click here to send a letter-to-the-editor to your local papers, expressing your displeasure that so many lawmakers are out of step with the public on this issue. Our automated system will easily allow you to send a letter to newspapers in Minnesota. It takes only a few moments, but it can make a world of difference. Feel free to draw from the talking points that we have provided, but remember that a personalized letter is more likely to be published than a form letter.

Then, please write a letter to your state legislators, urging them to support medical marijuana legislation next session. With just a few clicks, our automated system will allow you to send pre-written letters to your legislators, or you can compose the letters yourself.

In 2005, S.F. 1973 passed the Senate Health and Family Security Committee, by an impressive 5-2 vote. It was then referred to the Judiciary Committee where it carried over to 2006 and passed in a 5-4 vote on March 16. Subsequently, the bill passed the Senate Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee in a 5-4 vote on March 23 and the Senate Finance Committee in a 7-6 vote on April 27.

The tremendous progress that we have made would never have been possible without the courage of the patients and caregivers who risked so much to stand up and speak out: Riki and Steve Anderson, Kyoko Nakamaru, Darrell Paulsen, and Don Haumant. Your bravery, sacrifice, and tenacity are inspiring to all of us. MPP would also like to thank Sen. Kelley for taking the lead on this critical issue; Sens. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), Bob Kierlin (R-Winona), and John Marty (DFL-Roseville) for co-sponsoring S.F. 1973; and Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL-Duluth) for sponsoring H.F. 2151—the companion bill to S.F. 1973, which unfortunately stalled in the House after being referred to the Health Policy and Finance Committee.

Rest assured that MPP will continue fighting for medical marijuana patients in Minnesota, and we will return next year to capitalize on this year's advancements. But remember, we cannot do this without your help.

Please send a letter-to-the-editor and write to your legislators today.

A statewide poll conducted by Zogby International in February 2005 showed that Minnesotans support medical marijuana by a 2-1 margin. And with the help of Dawn Erlandson, MPP's grassroots organizer, we were able to garner the support of the Minnesota Nurses Association, Minnesota Public Health Association, Minnesota AIDS Project, and Minnesota Senior Federation. With these impressive developments, MPP is hopeful that seriously ill Minnesotans will soon get the protection they deserve.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this message along to your friends and family in Minnesota so that others can stand up for the state’s most vulnerable residents.