Marijuana Policy Project

When Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill last spring that would’ve allowed chronically ill patients to use marijuana medicinally, advocates vowed to take the issue to the people in the form of a constitutional amendment. But as the 2010 legislative session nears, medical marijuana groups say they’ll take a more measured approach and work with law enforcement and the governor one last time.

“Minnesotans for Compassionate Care will continue to be involved in efforts to make medical marijuana legal for patients in Minnesota,” Heather Azzi, spokesperson for that group, told the Minnesota Independent.

“A constitutional amendment is certainly an option. We will also be exploring the possibility of legislation acceptable to Governor Pawlenty.”

Last year, the Minnesota Legislature passed a medical marijuana bill that is much more stringent than other laws around the country, including stricter limits on who could access marijuana and harsh penalties on those who abuse the system. But Pawlenty still vetoed the bill.

Azzi says that the legislature has shown its intention to make the bill law; before advocates push for an amendment, they are giving law enforcement one last chance to help shape a bill all parties can agree with.

“Now that we have demonstrated to law enforcement that we do in fact have the votes in the House and in the Senate, we are hopeful that law enforcement will recognize that this may very well be their last opportunity to come to the table and work with us on the bill,” said Azzi.

“We are being very open minded at this point about our plan for the remainder of the session. Governor Pawlenty has stated that he will sign a medical marijuana bill if law enforcement does not oppose the bill.”

Minnesotans for Compassionate Care will also be looking for commitments on the issue from candidates for governor.

“We do not have a timeline for getting the commitments from the candidates yet,” said Azzi, because the group is hopeful that medical marijuana will be law this year.