Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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A group of more than 25 patients and family members voiced their dissatisfaction with the state's new medical marijuana law on Friday morning by placing flowers on the front steps of the governor's residence to represent Minnesotans who are not covered by the law.

Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill on Thursday to allow medicinal cannabis, establishing guidelines that some say are too restrictive.

The new law sets up a tight distribution system, outlines specific qualifying health conditions and doesn’t allow patients to smoke or grow marijuana plants – unlike the 21 other states that have legalized the drug for medical use.

Those who showed up at the governor's residence say they plan to push for broader legislation next session

“We’re going to make sure this law is expanded so all of these people are taken care of,” said Heather Azzi, the political director for the nonprofit Minnesotans for Compassionate Care.

Some law enforcement officials and state legislators expressed concern over legalizing any form of medical marijuana, prompting several modifications before the bill reached Dayton’s desk.

About 5,000 patients will qualify for pill or liquid forms of the drug once gaining medical marijuana identification cards that will be available by July, 2015 through a state-monitored registry. The Department of Health will conduct observational research to evaluate the drug’s effectiveness before it becomes accessible.

The law establishes eight distribution centers and two manufacturers statewide.

Woodbury resident Jessica Hauser, whose son suffers from epilepsy and qualifies for the drug, said the law’s low number of distribution centers and unclear regulations make it unattractive to businesses and medical marijuana supporters alike.

“There’s just a lot that remains to be seen about how functional and viable this program will be,” she said.

Politics and Government News

Capitol View®

Jessica Lee

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A group of more than 25 patients and family members voiced their dissatisfaction with the state’s new medical marijuana law on Friday morning by placing flowers on the front steps of the governor’s residence to represent Minnesotans who are not covered by the law. Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill on Thursday to allow medicinal…

Some supporters want broader medical marijuana law

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