by Chris Hrapsky

AUSTIN, MN -- It's an illegal drug made especially popular in the 60's. But the long time debate over medicinal marijuana may soon come to an end in Minnesota.

A medicinal marijuana bill has made it through the State Senate and several house committees meaning it could soon become legal for medicinal purposes.

And who better to talk to about the bill than the person who first tried to pass it around 30 years ago.

Pat Piper was in the Minnesota legislature for 18 years. From her prior work as a nun, she received the nicknamed Mother Minnesota, but she's also the mother of the state's first medicinal marijuana proposal.

Piper says, "It didn't pass, but it got a lot of people interested and a lot of people learning about it."

Under the new bill that awaits a house vote, patients with severe disease or injury like cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and HIV could qualify for up to 2 and a half ounces of marijuana.

Piper says, "I know that people hear marijuana and they go, "Oh that's terrible," but under the correct kind of care and if the doctor prescribes that you know, that makes the whole difference."

Twelve states currently allow medical marijuana, and four more are considering it. According to a co-author of the bill, Rep. Tina Liebling, qualified patients would get a government issued card which allows them to buy the drug from around 30 licensed agencies, they would not be able to grow it in their back yard.

"I think culture has changed, and I think it also makes a big difference if doctors are much more forthcoming and saying this is something valuable", says Piper.

She first planted the seed, now the long-time DFl'er, Mother Minnesota, hopes the medicinal marijuana bill will come to fruition.

Representative Tina Liebling says the bill has a strong chance to pass, but it could go up in smoke if Governor Tim Pawlenty vetoes it, which he has threatened to do.

The bill could hit the House floor as early as next week.