Medical Marijuana Bill Passes Key Senate Vote, 36-28
Big Win Boosts Momentum as House Considers Bill
CONTACT: Former Rep. Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover)..............................(763) 439-1178
http://pr.cannazine.co.uk : ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA -- Legislation to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest and jail took a major step forward today, passing the Minnesota Senate's Committee of the Whole by a vote of 36 to 28, setting up a vote for final passage in the Senate later this week. Supporters are increasingly confident of success in the House, where a companion measure has already passed three committees.
"Today's vote was gratifying but not surprising, given the overwhelming public support and the growing weight of scientific evidence in favor of medical marijuana," said bill sponsor Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing). "Members of both houses are hearing loud and clear from voters that there is simply no reason to use Minnesota police resources to arrest and prosecute seriously ill patients for following their doctors' advice."
Joni Whiting of Jordan, a disabled Vietnam veteran who testified in favor of the bill before the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee, hailed the vote.
Whiting's daughter found relief from marijuana for the nausea and pain caused by chemotherapy treatment for the melanoma that eventually killed her.
"I am thrilled by this vote, and by the possibility that no other family will have to break the law in order to help a loved one who is desperately ill," Whiting said.
"Marijuana allowed my daughter to eat and also helped ease her pain. Helping her in her last days was worth risking prison for, but no family should ever have to face a choice like that."
Today's vote is seen as building momentum for the companion medical marijuana bill that will be considered shortly in the House. Passage would make Minnesota the 14th state to protect medical marijuana patients.
The newest medical marijuana law, passed by Michigan voters in November with 63 percent of the vote, took full effect earlier this month. Medical marijuana legislation is also moving forward in several other states, including New Hampshire, Illinois and New Jersey.
Organizations that have recognized marijuana's medical uses include the American College of Physicians, American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association, American Academy of HIV Medicine and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, among others.
The Obama administration has declared a policy of non-interference with state medical marijuana laws.
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Multiple sclerosis patient Sarah Martin believes cannabis is the best way to liberate herself from the daily pain she endures.She says just half a teaspoon in a hot drink will keep her pain-free and spasm-free for about three hours. She also uses a vaporizer to ingest the drug.But by obtaining the much sought after relief which enables her to walk a little more easily once her muscles have freed up , she becomes a criminal.She chooses not to take any regular - and legal - medication, maintaining it would give her side effects such as high blood pressure, ulcers and even the risk of heart failure and psychosis.
As if to prove the British public are forced to endure one rule for them and another for people in positions of power this was the moment UK newspaper the Daily Mirror exposed two London traffic wardens who were happy to sell the newspaper cannabis even though they were in uniform and patroling the streets of our Capitol city. A Swaggering traffic warden openly deals skunk cannabis while on duty in the street.He thinks nothing of handing over the illegal drug which carries a maximum 14 years jail for convicted dealers in a busy residential area.He was exposed by the Mirror in an undercover investigation in which he boasted he could get unlimited supplies of the dangerous Class B substance.His ticketing machine swinging around his waist, the chubby attendant also proudly claimed to be able to cancel any parking ticket if he gets the nod on the day it is issued.
A British man who served half of a seven year sentence for dealing in illicit drugs has set up again in a similar trade, but this time with a subtle difference. Yes he sells recreational drugs. But this time the drugs (like 2-DPMP, BK-MBDP and 4-MMCat, to name but three) are legal to buy and possess. Not only that but he can sell them with a clear conscience, as any adverse side-effects are covered with a weak, but clearly presented cloak of protection.The label reads Not for human consumption . It looks like coke. Acts like it too, or very similar at least, but this is in fact meeow meeow, (also known as 4-MMCatt or Mepherdrone)
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