Minnesota Medical Marijuana Bill to Be Introduced Thursday (5/2)

For Immediate Release

Advisory for event Thursday, May 2

Contact

Heather Azzi, Political Director

612-275-7638, hea...@minnesotacares.org

Minnesota Medical Marijuana Bill to Be Introduced Thursday (5/2)

Bipartisan group of state lawmakers will join patients and advocates at a news conference to announce the details of the measure, which would allow Minnesotans with serious illnesses to access and use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it

ST. PAUL – A bipartisan group of state lawmakers will join patients and advocates at a press conference Thursday to announce the introduction of a bill that would allow Minnesotans to use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it. The event will be held at 10:30 a.m. CT in Room 125 of the Minnesota State Capitol.

Rep. Carly Melin (DFL-Hibbing) is introducing the bill in the House of Representatives, and Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) is introducing the companion bill in the Senate. 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.

"Nearly two-thirds of Minnesota voters agree it is time to adopt legislation that allows seriously ill people to use medical marijuana if their doctors believe it will help treat their conditions and ease their suffering," said Heather Azzi, political director for Minnesota Cares. "People suffering from diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis should be able to access medical marijuana safely and use it without fear of being arrested."

WHAT:  News conference to announce the introduction of a bill with bipartisan support that would allow Minnesotans with serious illnesses to access and use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it
 

WHEN:  Thursday, May 2, 10:30 a.m. CT

WHERE:  Minnesota State Capitol, Room 125, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul

WHO: Rep. Carly Melin (DFL-Hibbing), lead bill author

Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R-Cedar), second bill author

Heather Azzi, Minnesotans for Compassionate Care political director

Joni Whiting, Jordan-based mother of late cancer patient Stephanie Whiting

Patrick McClellan, Burnsville-based muscular dystrophy patient

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Minnesotans for Compassionate Care (MCC) is a coalition of organizations, medical professionals, patients, and concerned citizens working to protect people with cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and other serious illnesses from arrest and imprisonment for using medical marijuana with their physicians’ advice. For more information visit http://www.MNcares.org.

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