More Than 100 Minnesota Doctors and Clergy Express Support for Legal Access to Medical Marijuana

Duluth pastor and representatives from the Minnesota Nurses Association, Minnesota AIDS Project, AFL-CIO, and UFCW will join patients and advocates at a news conference TUESDAY at 10 a.m. CT in Room 125 of the Minnesota State Capitol

ST. PAUL — Supporters of medical marijuana legislation pending in the Minnesota Legislature will announce at a news conference Tuesday that more than 100 doctors and clergy throughout the state have expressed support for legal access to medical marijuana. The event will be held at 10 a.m. CT in Room 125 of the Minnesota State Capitol.

Attendees will include: Rev. Catherine Schuyler of the Duluth Congregational Church; a representative from the Minnesota Nurses Association; Bill Tiedemann, executive director of the Minnesota AIDS Project; representatives from the AFL-CIO, UFCW, and other organizations; and Minnesota patients and their family members. The coalition will voice support for HF 1818/SF 1641, which would allow people with specific debilitating medical conditions, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy, to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it.

"Doctors and clergy throughout the state and around the country support legal access to medical marijuana," said Heather Azzi, political director for Minnesotans for Compassionate Care. "Legislators need to adopt comprehensive medical marijuana legislation this year. Seriously ill Minnesotans should not have to wait any longer."

WHAT: News conference to announce more than 100 Minnesota doctors and clergy support legal access to medical marijuana

WHEN: Tuesday, April 22, 10 a.m. CT

WHERE: Room 125 of the Minnesota State Capitol Building, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul

WHO: Rev. Catherine Schuyler, pastor of Duluth Congregational Church

Minnesota Nurses Association

Bill Tiedemann, executive director of the Minnesota AIDS Project

Heather Azzi, political director for Minnesotans for Compassionate Care

Representatives of the AFL-CIO, United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), and other organizations that support HF 1818/SF 1641

Minnesota patients and family members

Minnesotans for Compassionate Care (MCC) is a coalition of organizations, medical professionals, patients, and concerned citizens working to protect people with cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and other serious illnesses from arrest and imprisonment for using medical marijuana with their physicians’ advice. For more information visit http://www.MNcares.org.