Medical marijuana bill sends partisan divide up in smoke

Politics in Minnesota

by Charley Shaw

Several DFL senators this afternoon cast votes against a bill that would allow marijuana for medicinal purposes.

But enough DFLers were joined by a couple Republicans to push the measure through 36-28.

Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) said the issue is a “matter of life and death” for people suffering from the pain of cancer and other illnesses. Murphy also said his proposal has addressed more than 50 criticisms from law enforcement.

Under the bill, a sick person would have to obtain written certification from a doctor to use marijuana. Murphy’s bill would allow a qualifying patient to have 2.5 ounces of marijuana. A patient could have 12 marijuana plants.

A person who submits false records, according to the bill, would be guilty of a felony offense with a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine up to $10,000.

Sen. Paul Koering (R-Fort Ripley), who was one of three Republicans that voted in favor of the bill, said he watched his mother suffer great pain when she was sick with terminal cancer.

“If this is something that will help people in their dying days, why would we say no to this?” Koering said.

Because of the way the bill is written, however, Sen. Mary Olson (DFL-Bemidji), who was among 11 Democrats that voted no, said the measure could be used by people who don’t have severe pain.

“We really open the door very, very broadly to how we would be able to use marijuana as a pain medication,” Olson said.

Republicans who voted aye include:

Debbie Johnson (Ham Lake)

Paul Koering (Fort Ripley)

Geoff Michel (Edina)

DFLers who voted against the bill include:

Lisa Fobbe (Zimmerman)

Gary Kubly (Granite Falls)

Keith Langseth (Glyndon)

Ann Lynch (Rochester)

Rick Olseen (Harris)

Mary Olson (Bemidji)

Tom Saxhaug (Grand Rapids)

Rod Skoe (Clearbrook)

Dan Skogen (Hewitt)

LeRoy Stumpf (Plummer)

Jim Vickerman (Tracy)

Date: 04/29/09