Medical Marijuana Bill Passes Key Senate Vote, 36-28
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA -- Legislation to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest and jail took a major step forward today, passing the Minnesota Senate's Committee of the Whole by a vote of 36 to 28, setting up a vote for final passage in the Senate later this week. Supporters are increasingly confident of success in the House, where a companion measure has already passed three committees.
"Today's vote was gratifying but not surprising, given the overwhelming public support and the growing weight of scientific evidence in favor of medical marijuana," said bill sponsor Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing). "Members of both houses are hearing loud and clear from voters that there is simply no reason to use Minnesota police resources to arrest and prosecute seriously ill patients for following their doctors' advice."
Joni Whiting of Jordan, a disabled Vietnam veteran who testified in favor of the bill before the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee, hailed the vote. Whiting's daughter found relief from marijuana for the nausea and pain caused by chemotherapy treatment for the melanoma that eventually killed her. "I am thrilled by this vote, and by the possibility that no other family will have to break the law in order to help a loved one who is desperately ill," Whiting said. "Marijuana allowed my daughter to eat and also helped ease her pain. Helping her in her last days was worth risking prison for, but no family should ever have to face a choice like that."
Today's vote is seen as building momentum for the companion medical marijuana bill that will be considered shortly in the House. Passage would make Minnesota the 14th state to protect medical marijuana patients. The newest medical marijuana law, passed by Michigan voters in November with 63 percent of the vote, took full effect earlier this month. Medical marijuana legislation is also moving forward in several other states, including New Hampshire, Illinois and New Jersey.
Organizations that have recognized marijuana's medical uses include the American College of Physicians, American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, American Academy of HIV Medicine and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, among others. The Obama administration has declared a policy of non-interference with state medical marijuana laws.
