by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

The Senate passed medical marijuana legislation Tuesday (May 1) that could have people suffering from cancer or intractable pain, possessing and using the drug.

"For those who chose this remedy, it works," said Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, Senate bill author.

"For those who chose this remedy, it works," said Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Redwing, Senate bill author.

Sen. Leo Foley, DFL-Coon Rapids, a retired Minnesota State Patrol officer, also backed the bill.

"When you're talking about death, everything sort of gets blurred out," he said, speaking of end of life issues after the floor debate.

Foley believes medical marijuana could have helped one of his family members in their illness.

There's no question law enforcement overwhelmingly opposes medical marijuana, he explained.

But Foley also thinks they're wrong. "I think they're mistaken in being unwilling or unable to help the needs of those people in pain relief," he said.

Passes Senate on 33-31 vote

The medical marijuana bill passed the Senate on a 33-31 vote - the legislation has not yet hit the House floor.

A handful of Greater Minnesota Democrats voted against the bill.

Three Republicans, including senators Paul Koering, of Fort Ripley, and Debbie Johnson, of Ham Lake, voted in favor.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has indicated he would veto the bill unless a consensus exists among law enforcement in support. But that consensus does not appear to have materialized.

The legislation would allow qualified patients possessing a Department of Health registration card to possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana.

It makes it a misdemeanor to falsely use medical marijuana.

On the Senate floor Murphy slowly went over the provisions in the medical marijuana bill. "I want the public to know what's in the bill and not be afraid of it," he said.

Sends the wrong message

Senate critics attacked the legislation as sending the wrong the message to young people, inviting drug abuse and criminality.

They also noted that marijuana is a federal controlled drug - illegal.

"Senator Murphy, I think you're brave by bringing this forward," said Sen. Ray Vandeveer, R-Forest Lake.

If medical marijuana could be dispensed like any other prescription drug - go to the pharmacy with a prescription and get it - he would support the bill, explained Vandeveer.

But he could not.

Local senators voting for the bill: Doll, Erickson Ropes, Foley, Johnson, and Koering.

Voting against: Gerlach, Jungbauer, Koch, Limmer, Olseen, Pariseau, Rummel, Vandeveer, Wergin.

The medical marijuana bill does need one last Senate vote.

(Photos by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)