Hospital Visitation, Medical Marijuana Bills Pass Senate

Two bills that have drawn controversy at the state Capitol this legislative session have passed the Minnesota Senate. A bill to allow patients with chronic pain to use medical marijuana passed the Senate on Tuesday, and a bill that would allow domestic partners to visit each other in the hospital in times of medical emergency passed the Senate on Monday.

The medical marijuana bill (SF 345) narrowly passed the Senate in a preliminary vote of 33-31 with three Republicans breaking with the ranks to vote “yes” and 11 DFL members voting “no.” The bill also passed the House Finance Committee on Tuesday and will need to pass the House Ways and Means Committee before a vote on the House floor. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he intends to veto the bill.

The hospital visitation for domestic partners bill (SF 1398) passed the Senate by a vote of 43-21 with two Republicans breaking rank by voting “yes” and one DFL member voting “no.” The House version is awaiting a vote on the House floor. Gov. Pawlenty has not yet gone on the record with his intentions, but Sen. Tom Neuville, R-Northfield, says it is likely that Pawlenty will not sign the bill.