The General
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On Tuesday evening, the Minnesota Senate took a major step toward legalizing cannabis for medical use in the state by voting to pass a bill that would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients with certain health conditions. Supporters of medical marijuana legislation are anxiously watched the Minnesota Senate as a bill fresh off a Monday passage in committee headed to the full chamber on Tuesday at the Capitol. Shortly after 6 p.m., the measure was passed by a vote of 48-18 after a period of vigorous debate. The Senate vote tally amounts to a veto-proof majority; however, a more restrictive bill in the House has yet to come up for a vote.
THE SENATE BILL
SF 1641, sponsored by Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis), would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to people suffering from conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-C, ALS, glaucoma, Tourette's syndrome and PTSD. Patients would be issued marijuana ID cards and doctors administering the cannabis would be tracked, as well as the conditions being treated.
Dibble said the program will pay for itself by fees collected from patients and treatment centers. "I want to express my profound respect for those who have a differing view," Dibble said during his closing statements. Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R) attacked the bill, saying it would lead to recreational legislation. As a former sheriff, he said that in his background, he's "seen the devastation of this drug." The Senate bill does not have the support of law enforcement officials, however, and Gov. Mark Dayton has warned he won't sign any marijuana legislation that police are not on board with. Neither the Senate nor the House bills allow patients to smoke the drug, but rather, they could take it in pill or oil form or with a vaporizer. If a bill passes, Minnesota would be the only state of the 21 and the District of Columbia that bans smoking marijuana.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Myfoxtwincities.com
Author: Tim Blotz
Contact: About Us - KMSP-TV
Website: MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Senate passes bill by 48-18 - KMSP-TV
THE SENATE BILL
SF 1641, sponsored by Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis), would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to people suffering from conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-C, ALS, glaucoma, Tourette's syndrome and PTSD. Patients would be issued marijuana ID cards and doctors administering the cannabis would be tracked, as well as the conditions being treated.
Dibble said the program will pay for itself by fees collected from patients and treatment centers. "I want to express my profound respect for those who have a differing view," Dibble said during his closing statements. Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R) attacked the bill, saying it would lead to recreational legislation. As a former sheriff, he said that in his background, he's "seen the devastation of this drug." The Senate bill does not have the support of law enforcement officials, however, and Gov. Mark Dayton has warned he won't sign any marijuana legislation that police are not on board with. Neither the Senate nor the House bills allow patients to smoke the drug, but rather, they could take it in pill or oil form or with a vaporizer. If a bill passes, Minnesota would be the only state of the 21 and the District of Columbia that bans smoking marijuana.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Myfoxtwincities.com
Author: Tim Blotz
Contact: About Us - KMSP-TV
Website: MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Senate passes bill by 48-18 - KMSP-TV
