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A Minnesota House panel has approved a proposal allowing patients with cancer and other diseases to smoke marijuana under a doctor's prescription.

The 13-4 vote Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Committee means the medical marijuana bill's next stop is the House floor. 

Supporters say marijuana is an important option for pain relief when other drugs don't work. 

Tom Lehman of the group Minnesotans for Compassionate Care says the measure would allow patients and their physicians to make treatment decisions without fear of being busted under state drug laws.

"Patients and physicians should be allowed to make treatment decisions and obtain treatments that are medically appropriate. We shouldn't have politicians or cops that aren't licensed physicians, didn't go to medical school making medical decisions," said Lehman.

The Senate passed a similar bill last year, but Governor Pawlenty has said he would veto the measure. Twelve states allow the use of medical marijuana.

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A 13-4 vote Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Committee means a bill approving the use of medical marijuana will move on to the House floor.

Medical marijuana bill will move to House floor

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