Minnesota set to approve use of medical marijuana

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http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/259409271.html
House and Senate lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton struck a deal to allow suffering Minnesotans use of marijuana to relieve their pain.

"It's taking every part of me not to try right now," said Jeremy Pauling, whose 7-year-old daughter suffers from seizures that could be helped with marijuana. "It's been a long road but now I can get my daughter the medicine she needs."

The compromise would require who patients to certify they are qualified to receive cannabis to get the drug from one of eight distribution centers. Only two manufacturing sites would be permitted under the deal.

While that deal may not go far enough for supporters of a broader measure, it still will make Minnesota the 22nd state to legalize medical marijuana.

"The public supports this and the time had come to take this important step," said Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis.

The measure, which backers say is one of the strictest in the nation, won support from Dayton and little opposition from law enforcement. More expansive measures that were at play in the Legislature failed to overcome opposition from law enforcement.

For families who had long appealed to legislators to allow them use of marijuana, the process was difficult.

"It's been like the wildest roller coaster I've ever been on," said Pauling.

The final agreement, expected to win full approval from the Legislature on Friday, could allow about 5,000 Minnesotans to use the drug without violating state laws.

More at link.