By Preya Samsundar
ST. PAUL, MN — One week into the legislative session and
Republicans and Democrats from the Minnesota House are starting the
debate over medical marijuana expansion.
On Monday afternoon, two bills were introduced regarding the scope of medical marijuana use.
Rep. Matt Dean (R-Dellwood) introduced H.F. 120 which states: “A bill
for an act, relating to health; removing the commissioner of health’s
authority to add qualifying medical conditions or delivery forms of
medical cannabis.”
The bill simply states the health commissioner will no longer have
the authority to add medical conditions that can be treated with medical
marijuana.
The medical marijuana bill, passed in 2014, grants the Minnesota
Health Commissioner the ability to add conditions where medical
marijuana can be used. The commissioner has added several medical
conditions to the list since its implementation in 2014.
Rep. Rob Ecklund (D-International Falls) introduced a bill Monday
afternoon expanding the qualified users of medical marijuana. H.F. 121
states: “A bill for an act relating to health; allowing certain patients
with kidney disease or kidney failure treated with kidney dialysis to
enroll in the patient registry for the use of medical cannabis.”
If Ecklund’s bill is passed, it would allow individuals with kidney
issues who are on dialysis to be treated with medical marijuana.
Both bills introduced would immediately change the medical marijuana law as it stands.
Ecklund, who spoke with Alpha News said people in his district travel
more than 100 miles to be treated with dialysis. The treatment often
requires them to have a driver. However, due to the long journey, the
anesthesia wears off causing them immense pain. Ecklund notes that the
initial plan was to submit a petition with the Health Commissioner on
July 1, 2017, but thought the people in his district would not want to
wait that long.
“I have a lot of respect for him (Dean) and his cause,” said Ecklund.
He hopes that both bills can pass together but understands the
likelihood of his bill never going to committee.
Rep. Matt Dean did not return Alpha News request for comment.
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