Medical marijuana will be back at the capitol in 2010

See conservative estimates on just how much your state and city could save if Marijuana were legalized and taxed…

http://MarijuanaLobby.org
Support The Marijuana Lobby Economic Bale-Out Plan!
Because every American can benefit from legalizing and taxing Marijuana.

How about King Timmy consult with someone OTHER than just law enforcement? Within the last week, I have explained my cannabis use to two of my doctors for my crohn’s disease. They both support me fully, and had no dire “warnings” to pass on regarding cannabis use. This is a pretty stark difference when compared to law enforcement, who seems to think we’d have the “wild west” it medical cannabis were allowed (we’ve heard the same with gun carry permits, for example.) Those dire predictions never manifested. They wouldn’t if this passed either.

That said, I thought a great opportunity has been missed by NOT pursuing a ballot initiative for 2010. Pawlenty would not even sign a bill for terminal cancer patients. He is a waste of time and effort in trying to “read into” what he “might” sign. We played that legislative game last session. The “conservative” playbook says to oppose any medical cannabis legislation and bow to the police unions, so that is what he will do. Quite ironic, considering conservatives’ former pedigree of small government championing. That went out the window long ago. Law enforcement time and again has proven they do not wish to see their revenues lessened in any way when it comes to cannabis laws. They won’t budge, nor will Pawlenty. The sick and dying must wait again. All because of greed, politics, corruption, and warped public perception fueled by government misinformation.

does anyone else find it slightly ironic that just underneath this article appears an ad from “drugfreeworld.org” soliciting pamphlets on how bad marijuana is??! minnesota “independent?” i guess its easy to see where the folks who run this website stand on the issue… with the ill-informed governor. stop spreading b.s. propaganda and do some real research.

John Marion,
They’re Google ads, so we have no control over them. Since they’re keyword-tagged, we end up having ads of all kinds rather than those that support just one political point of view.

Pawlenty does not bargain in good faith he never has, Going back to him is only going to set it back another year.

The bill that went to his desk last year was a terrible bill no one who isn’t about to die would qualify We do not need a medical bill that no one who needs it qualifies for it.

Marijuana prohibition has been a total failure and is perhaps this country’s greatest mistake. Not only has it created criminals out of nearly a third of the country’s populace, it costs our society billions of dollars every year, creates a strain on our prison system, and has little or no effect on marijuana use in the US. In some cases, prosecuting marijuana use has turned non-violent, middle class kids into violent and unpredictable, career criminals. Once a person has a criminal conviction on their record, they are far less likely to find a good job and become a useful member of society. Other countries with more liberal drug laws have much lower rates of drug addiction among their people. I invite you to my web-page devoted to raising awareness on the assault on our civil liberties: http://freethegods.blogspot.com/

It seems as though MPP/Minnesotans for Compassionate Care have decided to focus their efforts on other states with more “workable” political climates. Tim Pawlenty thinks that a “tough on crime” approach includes prosecuting sick and dying people. Is there more of a tyrant out there who is more out of touch with their constituents than Tim Pawlenty?
Nationally, almost 80% of people now support medical cannabis, with mostly the elderly being opposed due to decades of brainwashing and limited access to the truth via the web, and “conservatives” that somehow think “God’s plan” includes denying sick people medicine?? Why are we placating the fringes of society with their extreme political views? Centrists are the majority, and they have already spoken and supported this cause here in MN and nationally. Let the politicians know you support patients’ right to consult with their doctors.

[...] While Murphy announced recently that the 2010 session will be his last, medical marijuana advocates told the Minnesota Independent that they will continue to push for it — even if it means putting the issue to a vote of the people. [...]

I think that this should not go against the Governor AGAIN….I THINK THAT THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME BECAUSE PAWLENTY DOES NOT HAVE A COMPASSIONATE BONE IN HIS BODY…HE HAS PROVEN THAT TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA WHEN HE VETOED THE BILL LAST YEAR….I think that it should just be amended in the constitution. I feel that it should not be up to the law enforcement as to what a doctor is prescribing to their patients. I feel that this decision should be left between the doctor and the patient…NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PAWLENTY OR ANY OTHER CANDIDATE THAT WILL BE RUNNING. I am a Marinol user for vomiting due to the other narcotics my doctor has me on…if my doctor was able to prescribe me the real thing I am sure that he would. I think that patients and doctors should not have to worry about being prosecuted for prescribing the medicine and the patient should not be deemed a criminal because they are using a medicine prescribed to them. I think that Marijuana should not continue to fall into the category of “DRUGS”, it should be categorized as a “MEDICINE”. I was really pushing for this bill to become law last year and I was really disappointed when Pawlenty basically just threw it in the garbage as soon as it hit his desk. I think that he is just going to do the same thing this year…only this time he will be out of office…but then the patients of Minnesota have to wait yet another year to be prescribed their medicine!

I am saddened by the news imparted here. It was extremely difficult to tell the story of my daughters death and the horror she suffered as she died even after she began using marijuana to get some relief from her cancer. Harder still to admit that I would break the law, then watch her suffer.

I believed that they would this year put the question to the voters of Minnesota and let the people truly be heard on this subject once and for all. I feel now as if no one heard me.

Joni Whiting

Since when does Law enforcement get to write the laws people have to live with. Cops enforce the laws and nothing more.

California will pass the legalization bill this fall and have had medical marijuana since 1996. 52% to 34% in the polls right now.

Minnesota has already decriminalized weed for home use an ounce and a half is a 200$ fine and 1.4 grams in a motor vehicle. Why is it that this is such a big deal? Marijuana has been decriminalized since the 70`s. Minnesota used to be a progressive state that I was proud of now it`s the economically dead, backwards thinking state that I want to leave.

I`ve lived in Minnesota all my life and in my lifetime 42 years pot has never really been a big deal the laws that are already on the books consider it no big deal to Minnesotans.

I think we need to move forward and pass a bill of legalization for medical and recreational use, tax it and focus on more serious problems, how about the 6 billion dollar deficit looming after Pewlenty runs from the capitol.

Maybe we could use the marijuana tax money to stop gangs and violent criminals, fund education, invest in small business, fund medical care, whatever we want to spend it on.

And after Legalization I predict that Minnesota will run the same, ney better for it.

70 years of prohibition has failed and the money wasted.

Decriminalization is a cop- out, sending the message it`s illegal but nothing to be shaking in your boots about. Look at the polls on the internet two thirds of Minnesotans want medical pot and would probably support making small amounts and small growing at home legal.

If you want to keep it controlled and out of kids hands legalize it like booze we have seen how prohibition has worked for alcohol it turned the common man into a criminal and bred some of the most violent criminals in history.

One last thought. Out in California it is stated fact that the private prison industry and the cops and the drug dealing, domestic and foreign dealers are for keeping it illegal. Why would the cops and the drug dealers be on the same side? Think about it.

I believe having marijuana prohibited creates a wild west and is destroying the future of our youth and overfills the prison system over an old prohibition experiment to gather money off our population in the united states by a dead president. !

Any person that supports keeping it prohibited does not support the future of our country and should be taken to jail. Make them experiment who is actually in jail along the side of a simple marijuana smoker and then understand that it is a plant that was irradicated from our countryside just like our state flowers habitat the lady slipper and pretty soon the polar bear from ice will be.

Marijuana still grows wild to this day in undeveloped areas and is worldwide. A rude awaking is going to happen to those who oppose it .

When all the population has no future growth and work history because they have a felony conviction .

lacking jobs and business owners who would have employed workers such as myself have been put in jail for it.

Causing a depression . ! Dependence of the government for help !

no help because too many are asking for help = Riot and Crime look at counties that have no structure that the usa supported its war on illegal drugs corruption and violence anyone speaks out against them they’re dead! The End.

Legalize Marijuana and have a from of structure and if anything illegalize alcohol in its place i’d be willing to trade that in a stupid fake bunch of words that is called a law.

look at countries that have no structure that the usa supported its war on illegal drugs because they make corruption and violence anyone speaks out against them they’re dead! The End.

form a structure for it before it is to late is what needs to be done the president of the united states should take care of that right away

and it would hurt any terrorists that use it to make money in our country

watch some border wars and then you should understand the problem in mexico is funded by marijuana bricks and cash flow being sent back creating druglord’s with weapons that shoot those who oppose. Nobody is safe it’s called the wild west and it is connected to us. There are more illegal mexicans in jail than any other race in our prison systems I saw this first hand in the county jail where I live in minnesota getting a free ride back to mexico they said once the dope ran out they smuggled up with them.

Blue state! NEEDS to be a GREEN state follow suit like the others certainly MN is always behind the 8 ball Political BS.Then after you move/visit 15 Current Legal States. and get the paperwork squared BAMB MN jumps on board but when?
http://www.dailybuds.com/
https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/

legalizing/decriminalizing pot would defiantly save the the tax payers money but you cant really tax marijuana, it’s all natural duh. if the government wants sit and tax the shit out of weed, go ahead, but any logical person would understand that if pot is legal and the government wants to tax it, they will just grow their own.

Its proven that weed is one of the healthiest illeagal drugs out there why else would they use it for medical reasons. come on Leagalize it now!!!!!!!

Wake up people, they can and will tax it. America is one of the top three producers of marijuana in the world, statistically. Marijuana is the USA’s #1 Cash crop, not something they openly admit! I’m a MN Native I live in Georgia now and I’m moving home. I’m a combat veteran with PTSD, for those lest informed that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I smoke weed for depression anxiety and panic attacks, sleep problems, pain in my shoulder, neck and knees. I works better than any pill the VA has tried to shove down my throat. Medical marijuana isn’t just for the terminally ill, it has so many healing properties, it’s unbelievable. You know when you’ve got bronchitis…..screw vicks vapor rub, boil some water with some bud and hang a towel over your head….yep get high but hey……you get better. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has done phenomenal things for veterans in the state of Minnesota, but Big Timmy you’ve messed up this time…….I’m ashamed to say your my GOV!!!!!!! Legalized Medicinal Cannabis for people who under medical supervision would improve their life mentally, physically, hell even psycho-socially! Wait a few years then legalize small amount private use. Trust your Minnesotans! We know what is good for us, the doctors know what is good for us, the cops, the law enforcement agencies, they know how to protect us, not how to treat our ailments that hinder our happy life. Plain and simple do what’s right not what looks good to someone higher than you, and quit kissing the giant political rump trying to climb higher in rank!

I am a 16 white male who lives in minnesota, I am not trying to Disagree with more then half the statements on this page but Folks are taking Marijuana way to serious. Ive been smoking weed for longer then 2 years and it hasn’t turned me into a crazy violent kid it has only gave me more motivation to living and my school life because it is a great incentive or reward just as long as you can keep in under control, Medical Cannabis is a different story though, Yes many people Who have ” Back Problems” or “bad anxiety” will still be able to get this drug even if they dont, but the people that really do is what matters. Cannabis is not a drug unless you make it one and those who criticize it make it sound so bad are the ones that bug me, if a vote went out to the minnesotan people to legalize weed i think there would be a good chance that it would. Theres really nothing wrong with it no ones cares make it legal itd just make things better here.

Luke you are absolutely right! In a recent polling done by the Minneapolis Star Tribune it shows that over 2/3′s of the State of Minnesota’s population is for the legalization of Medicinal Cannabis. Studies have been done and research has been compiled, The American Medical Association alongside The Medical Students Society, have pooled their knowledge and research to show and prove according the U.S. Substance Classification Act, that marijuana, is in fact less harmful over a extended use period, even when in the extended use period it is abused and over used that it still have a risk factor and health complications factor lower than any other legal or decriminalized substance. They are now filing a petition for the re-classification of Marijuana from a Type 1 Controlled Subtance(right there with coke heroin and Ectasy) down to a Class 3 or lower. Class 6 is tobacco and alcohol. If the research material proves true according to doctors at a UCLA medical research lab Marijuana deserves a class 4 rating at the most! I am a proud member and advocate of both the VMCA (Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access) and the MPP(The Marijuana Policy Project) You can learn all facts and data on the internet. Google is my best friend! However be careful not all websites are actually political sites and some reflect the more illegal side to the preference of legal Cannabis. People this is not the first time a petition for re-classification has been applied for in 1972 a group known as NORML filed the same petition for the same purpose and lacked supporting evidence needed and the case was not fully dismissed until 1992. With the help of supporter from all over this nation and the undeniable evidence that will be presented to the DEA and FDA along with the stipulations and guidelines of the Substance Classification there is no way they can deny us the right to use a god given 100% natural physiotherapy, psycho-social, and almost totally none existent health risk way of healing many physical, mental, and social disorders!