By Nicole Muehlhausen

On Wednesday, marijuana for medicinal purposes made a step closer to becoming legal at the state Capitol.

The bill cleared the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee in a vote of nine to six.

The vote came after medical marijuana patients and others testified about its affects when conventional treatments had failed in some cases.

Thirteen states now permit medical use of marijuana under state law if a physician has recommended it.

Last week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said his long-standing opposition hasn't changed.

Backers of medical marijuana include Democrats and Republicans. A Senate vote approving a similar bill in 2007 didn't follow party lines. The full House has yet to vote on the issue.