Medical Marijuana Bill to Receive Hearing and Vote Tuesday in Minnesota Senate Committee

Senate Committee on State and Local Government will consider SF 1641, which would allow people with specific debilitating medical conditions to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Senate Committee on State and Local Government will hold a hearing and vote Tuesday on a bill that would provide legal access to medical marijuana for people with specific debilitating medical conditions. The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. CT in Room 123 of the Minnesota State Capitol.

SF 1641, sponsored by Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis), would allow people suffering from conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, glaucoma, and severe, debilitating pain to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it.

The Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing approved the measure last week. A companion bill in the Minnesota House of Representatives, HF 1818, received approval in March from the Health and Human Services Policy Committee. Both bills have the maximum number of sponsors allowed — five in the Senate, including two committee chairs, and 35 in the House, including 12 committee chairs. Six additional House members have signed copies of the bill in order to demonstrate their support.

“This is a sensible law supported by a strong majority of Minnesota voters,” said Heather Azzi, political director for Minnesotans for Compassionate Care. “Seriously ill Minnesotans deserve safe and legal access to medical marijuana. There’s no reason to keep them waiting any longer.”

WHAT: Minnesota Senate Committee on State and Local Government hearing and vote on a bill that would provide legal access to medical marijuana for people with specific debilitating medical conditions

WHEN: Tuesday, April 29, 9 a.m. CT

WHERE: Room 123 of the Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul

WHO: Minnesota Senate Committee on State and Local Government

Heather Azzi, Minnesotans for Compassionate Care political director

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.