Bill with maximum number of House and Senate sponsors would allow Minnesotans with serious illnesses to access and use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it

By Steve Elliott
Hemp News

A bipartisan group of Minnesota state lawmakers joined patients and advocates for a news conference at the state capitol on Thursday to announce the introduction of a bill that would allow people with serious illnesses to access and use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it.

Rep. Carly Melin (DFL-Hibbing) is introducing the bill in the House of Representatives (HF 1818), and Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) is introducing the companion bill in the Senate (SF 1641). Both bills have the maximum number of sponsors allowed -– 35 in the House, including 12 committee chairs, and five in the Senate, including two committee chairs.

"Medical marijuana made life bearable for my daughter in her final few months," said Joni Whiting of Jordan, who attended the news conference. Her daughter, Stephanie, used medical marijuana to relieve the extreme pain and nausea associated with cancer and chemotherapy.

"She would have tried using medical marijuana immediately after her doctor recommended it, but we feared the legal consequences and she suffered for months before we decided it was worth the risk," Whiting said. "This legislation will prevent patients and families from being put in such a terrible situation."

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Bills to allow for the use of medical marijuana in Minnesota have popular support and may still be introduced this year, but will be little more than place markers for 2014, supporters said this week, citing opposition from the governor's office and law enforcement.

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By Steve Elliott
Hemp News

Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of Minnesota voters support changing state law to allow people with serious and terminal illnesses to use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it, according to a new poll conducted by Public Policy Polling.

"A vast majority of Minnesota voters agree that people suffering from conditions like cancer and multiple sclerosis should be able to use marijuana in the treatment of their conditions," said Heather Azzi, political director for Minnesotans for Compassionate Care. "Criminalizing seriously and sometimes terminally ill people who use marijuana to relieve their pain and suffering is not a popular idea."

The results of the statewide survey come as state lawmakers prepare a bipartisan bill that would make it legal for Minnesota residents with debilitating medical conditions, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS, to access and use medical marijuana if advised to do so by their physicians. Its introduction is expected within the next two weeks, at which time details of the proposal will be made available.

The poll found a strong majority (54 percent) of voters in the state would disapprove of their county sheriff or county attorney working to defeat such a bill, while only 24 percent would approve. Two-thirds (66 percent) think Gov. Mark Dayton should sign it if it is approved by the Legislature.

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Chances are pretty good that if somebody asks you about hemp, your first thoughts might land on the weed that gets rolled into joints. And that’s the unfortunate reality plaguing proponents who seek to strip federal regulations on industrial grade hemp.

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Dj Sidereal of Minnesota rocked the VIP room during Paid Dues 2012 with his debut.  So where’d he come from?

He started out just learning turntables and mixing. Eventually he went into scratching and live performing. With a little over four years under his belt, everything is happening quickly for the dj.

Performing with Kosha Dillz at SXSW, during a show with Murs Sidereal was asked if he was interested in a slot during Paid Dues. What was his response?

“Hell yea, I want a slot for Paid Dues. Let’s do it. Now we’re here”

Sidereal believes the independent hip-hop scene in Minnesota is rough around the edges, but it’s still holding its integrity. The proof is in the pudding when looking at different groups from Atmosphere to Doomtree to Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Sidereal has had the opportunity to share the stage with groups and individuals like: Kids Like Us, Mickey Avalon, Kyle Ravs, Murs, Kosha Dillz, Maclethal and many more.  Now Sidereal is touching into electronic music, but like everything else, I’m positive he’ll blow it out the park.

His upcoming album Calm, cool and collected is on its way. While he couldn’t give us specifics he knows we’re gonna love it.

Soundcloud.     @djsidereal on twitter

 

​If you live in Minnesota, you'll have an opportunity this year when you file your state tax form to support a great cause: the Minnesota Grassroots Party. After an absence of a few years, the party is back on the tax form after fielding a candidate in the 2010 statewide election.Marking the State Elections Campaign Fund box -- and filling in "15" to support the Grassroots Party -- will not affect the amount of your refund or the amount of taxes you owe. It will, however, instruct the state of Minnesota to direct $5 from the campaign fund to the Grassroots Party. Continue reading "Minnesota: Support Legalization On This Year's Tax Form" >