Minnesota

Minn. House approves medical marijuana

Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A bill to allow medical use of marijuana has cleared the Minnesota House after a spirited debate.

The vote was 70-64.

Lawmakers amended the bill to restrict medical marijuana to terminally ill patients with severe symptoms.

That's stricter than the Senate bill, which would allow use by patients with chronic but not terminal conditions. The Senate could accept the House version or move for negotiations.

Debate on the House floor split Republicans and Democrats, with politicians of both parties on both sides of the issue.

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Date: 05/18/09