Healthy Weed:

LAWMAKERS AIM TO PASS MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

State Sen. Steve Murphy and other Minnesota lawmakers are making
another run at passing a medical marijuana bill.

Lawmakers have introduced similar bills several times in recent
years, though none have ever come close to final approval.

"We're talking about quality of life issues," said Murphy, a DFLer
from Red Wing and chief author of the bill. "This isn't for
everybody. This is another tool in the doctor's toolbox, if (the
patient) feels it's appropriate and they're willing to give it a try."

Murphy said he warmed up to the proposal two years ago when his
father died of cancer after nine months of intense pain.

"If that would have been an option for him and he would have chosen
it, I would have understood," he said. "I watched him waste away, and
he was in incredible pain."

Under the legislation, anyone who suffers from a "chronic or
debilitating disease" would qualify to receive a registration card
and get up to 12 plants or 2.5 ounces of marijuana.

Marijuana can help alleviate pain, loss of appetite, nausea and
vomiting -- common symptoms associated with chronic illnesses. It's
most commonly used by patients with AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, severe
arthritis and multiple sclerosis among other diseases. Some patients
use it to avoid getting addicted to prescription painkillers such as Vicodin.

Some doctors and other health officials have spoken against the
legislation because smoking can lead to respiratory disease; in
response, drug companies have developed ways to distribute marijuana
through a prescription inhaler.

Former Winona senator Bob Kierlin carried the bill in 2005; he said
then that he supported the bill out of compassion for suffering patients.

Eleven states have legalized medical marijuana in some form, though
conflicts have arisen because federal courts don't always recognize
state legislation.

Washington in particular has struggled with vague laws. One patient
who was arrested three years ago for using marijuana took a case all
the way to the Washington Supreme Court, which upheld her sentence of
two months' home confinement. Some growers and state advocacy groups
have been subjected to raids by federal drug officials.

For more information on the legislation, go online to www.senate.mn
and enter SF345 in the search box in the upper left corner.