MN: State Senate approves medical marijuana

[MinneapolisMatt]

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

The Minnesota Senate today tentatively voted to approve the use of medical marijuana in the state. The 36-28 vote came despite questions about whether the measure fully defines who would be eligible and whether it provides proper safeguards against abuse.

Law enforcement has consistently opposed medical marijuana, but Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, chief author of the bill (S.F. 97), said during debate that the measure is a medical issue not one for "our brothers and sisters in blue."

It's estimated that about 900 people will enroll in the program the first year, a number that will grow to about 6,800 at full enrollment. The bill allows 2.5 ounces for a qualifying patient and up to 12 plants if the patient is authorized to cultivate the marijuana. A doctor would have to certify that the person qualifies and non-profit groups would be set-up to dispense the marijuana, The Minnesota Department of Health would administer the program to set up a registry of users, who would be provided photo ID cards. The bill would take effect in January 2010.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/44005777.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUac8HEaDiaMDCinchO7DUs

[TheCoxwain]

1. Now if they can do something about Michelle Bachman....

like take her off whatever she is smoking --that wont be too bad

[IDFbunny]

5. Or rather give her some smoke, she needs it.

[MinneapolisMatt]

6. HAHAHAHA!

So true, so true. :)

[downindixie]

11. I would tote one with Michelle,

I would probably crack a tickle box on her tales!

[droidamus2]

12. LOL

Maybe thats the problem she is smoking dirt weed instead of the good stuff.

[pleah]

2. K&R

[Dogtown]

3. Excellent

K&R

[Soylent Brice]

4. YES!!!

[Royal Sloan 09]

7. K & R

:kick:

Solution=Legalize:bounce:

Yes, We Cannabis!:smoke:

[VoR2012]

15. I often wonder why it was made illeagle in the 1st place

I second that.

[ingac70]

18. ....

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~rhetoric/105H17/pmeyer/cop.html

[JonLP24]

21. Probaly the main reason is this

[VoR2012]

22. Wow...

I'm speechless at the total lack of intelligent thought in that flyer/poster. Murder Insanity Death? What a load of crap.

[noiretextatique]

8. this is a conservative country, dammit!!!

it seems the people are not as conservative as the MSM keeps telling us we are...congrats MN!!!

[northofdenali]

9. Congrats, Minnesota!

Alaska's personal-use laws remain intact; fortunately, we don't have to deal with the "medical use" dictate. But this is a big step in the right direction!

[JonLP24]

10. I've read that Alaska is the only state where an ounce or less

of marijuana is legal under state law. It's still illegal under federal law so they can still bust people. Then after reading that my next question was, does Sarah Palin even know about the law? Then again she probaly couldn't repeal it because I've heard they are pretty libertarian up there.

[droidamus2]

13. Not sure

I thought they rescinded that law and went back to making it illegal. I know that at one time you were correct and pot was legal.

[JonLP24]

16. Latest article I can find goes back to 2006 and it says no

UNEAU, Alaska – A judge on Monday struck down part of a new Alaska law criminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, saying it conflicts with past constitutional decisions made by the Alaska Supreme Court.

That means the police won't be able charge people with a misdemeanor under the new law for possessing less than 1 ounce of marijuana in their homes.

The state Department of Law was expected to quickly file an appeal with the high court.

Superior Court Judge Patricia Collins said a lower court can't reverse the state Supreme Court's 1975 decision in Ravin v. State. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled the right to privacy in one's home included the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003118645_webpot10.html

Now it doesn't explain what the law is now and I can't find penalties but I do find this. Mind you I listed my hometown as Wasilla in the law library.

AS 11.71.190. Schedule Via.

(a) A substance shall be placed in schedule VIA if it is found under AS 11.71.120 (c) to have the lowest degree of danger or probable danger to a person or the public.

(b) Marijuana is a schedule VIA controlled substance.
http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title11/Chapter71/Section190.htm

That is the lowest classification and the controlled substances committee has no authority over alcohol. I will continue to search for a current law and what the penalties are until then this is all I have.

[JonLP24]

17. In 2006 however they limited it from 4 ounces to 1 ounce

"No specific argument has been advanced in this case that possession of more than 1 ounce of marijuana, even within the privacy of the home, is constitutionally protected conduct under Ravin or that any plaintiff or ACLU of Alaska member actually possesses more than 1 ounce of marijuana in their homes," Collins wrote.

The new law makes possession of 4 ounces or more a felony. Possession of 1 to 4 ounces is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. The part the court ruled against was that less than 1 ounce would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail.


-------------------------------------

They also said a lower court can't overturn the Supreme Court of the state. If so the system would be in disarray.

[JonLP24]

19. More current Alaska laws

one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances of an aggregate weight of four ounces or more containing a schedule VIA controlled substance; or

(G) 25 or more plants of the genus cannabis

VIA is Marijuana.

Violating that law is Misconduct involving a controlled substance in the fourth degree is a class C felony.

(E) one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances of an aggregate weight of one ounce or more containing a schedule VIA controlled substance; or

Violating this law is Misconduct involving a controlled substance in the fifth degree is a class A misdemeanor

Ah shit I think you're right here it is.

(1) uses or displays any amount of a schedule VIA controlled substance;

VIA=Marijuana.
Violating this law is (b) Misconduct involving a controlled substance in the sixth degree is a class B misdemeanor.

There is no 7th degree so there it is.
http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title11/Chapter71.htm

[glinda]

25. Pawlenty will veto it.

[Dinger]

14. Whenever I See "MN"

I am stupid enough to think Franken will finally be seated.

[bluesmail]

20. What a difference a different government makes. eom

[dflprincess]

23. Non-profits dispensing marijuana?

That's practically socialism!

I wonder if we'll be allowed to use it to ward of seasonal affective disorder during the long, cold, dark winters? :smoke:

[Odin2005]

24. Timmy the Tool will veto it, unfortunately.

:-(