The Senate and House gave final approval Friday to the bill legalizing medical marijuana for Minnesotans with a range of ailment, sending it to Gov. Mark Dayton for his signature.
The Senate passed the bill on a bipartisan vote of 46-16. A short while later, the House passed it xx-xx, also with support from both Democrats and Republicans.
"It is nice when Republicans and Democrats work together to help people by expanding their personal freedoms, rather than limiting them," said Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Lakeville.
The proposal sets up a limited system of production and distribution of marijuana that supporters and critics alike called more restrictive than any of the 21 states that currently authorize access to medical marijuana.
About 5,000 Minnesotans are expected to be eligible for the drug, if they suffer from a list of conditions that includes cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Crohn's Disease, Tourette's Syndrome, epilepsy, severe muscle pain brought on my multiple sclerosis, or terminal illnesses with a life expectancy of less than a year if the illness or treatment produces severe or chronic pain.
Critics said there are too many unknowns to marijuana as medical treatment.
"We don't have any studies, or proven methods of knowing what works for who, and at what level," said Rep. Kathy Lohmer, R-Stillwater. "We're basically just saying, we're going to try this and see how this works. I think that is the opposite of compassion, actually."
The drug will be available only in pill or oil forms, with smoking not allowed and access to the drug in its original plant form forbidden. It won support from Democrats and Republicans alike, leaving skeptics only the ability to raise alarms.
