Medical marijuana passes another hurdle in the House
Medical marijuana legislation cleared yet another hurdle in the House — supporters say the biggest — when the bill passed the House public safety committee Tuesday (March 24) on a 9 to 6 vote.
Several area lawmakers, Rep. Gail Kulick Jackson, DFL-Milaca, Rep. Sandra Masin, DFL-Eagan, and committee chairwoman Debra Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center, voted for the bill.
Republican lead committee member, Rep. Bruce Anderson, R-Buffalo Township, voted against.
Law enforcement officials caused something of a stir in committee by piling big bags of marijuana on the witness table in illustrating one of their points.
A sunset provision and another amendment were placed on the bill in committee.
Former Republican state representative Chris DeLaForest, now a lobbyist working on behalf of the bill, is confident the medical marijuana bill will pass when it hits the House floor.
DeLaForest recently had a meeting with Gov. Tim Pawlenty, an old friend, and said he left the meeting in a good frame of mind.
He’s confident, said DeLaForest, the governor will give the legislation a fair review when the Legislature passes the bill and it hits the governor’s desk.
Pawlenty has indicated that he opposes the legislation.
Great job covering this issue, T.W. I can’t be optimistic about Pawlenty signing off on medical marijuana, but even if it reaches his desk and gets the ax, it will likely be a serious issue during the next Gubernatorial election.