ST. PAUL (AP) — The Minnesota Senate has backed legislation that would allow medical marijuana use for seriously ill patients.

Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, is sponsoring the measure, which would allow licensed patients to grow a certain amount of marijuana or buy it from licensed dealers. Wednesday’s 36-28 vote to advance the measure defied party lines, drawing support and opposition from both the GOP and DFL.
The issue pits those suffering or dying from cancer, AIDS and other diseases against some in law enforcement who say easing marijuana regulations would lead to more crime and drug abuse.

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty has given those concerns as his reason for opposing the bill.

Murphy has noted the bill contains strong enforcement provisions: It makes it a felony to give or sell medical marijuana to a nonpatient or to possess more marijuana than the bill permits.

Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, voted in favor of the bill.

The House has yet to vote on medical marijuana in 2009. Similar proposals have passed the Senate in previous sessions but stalled in the House.