CITY PANEL VOTES DOWN POT PROPOSAL

MINNEAPOLIS - A panel of the City Council unanimously voted against
putting a medicinal marijuana question on the November ballot, which
prompted an organization backing the measure to threaten a lawsuit.

The Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted 5-0 against the
proposal Tuesday. Chairman Scott Benson said the proposal violates
current state and federal law against the use and sale of marijuana.

The proposal would ask the voters whether to amend the City Charter to
require that the city create regulated marijuana distribution centers
for patients whose doctors had prescribed the drug.

Benson said the group that pushed the proposal, Citizens for Harm
Reduction, is trying to make a political point.

The Marijuana Policy Project, which is funding the group, said it will
sue the city to get on the ballot.

The entire City Council is expected to consider the measure Friday.