MN - Pawlenty vetoes medical marijuana

By MIKE KASZUBA and PAT DOYLE, Star Tribune staff writers

Last update: May 22, 2009 - 11:42 PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed an emotionally charged proposal late Friday to allow terminally ill patients to use marijuana for medical purposes. :mad:

Pawlenty, who in 2008 set an apparent single-year record for most vetoes by a Minnesota governor, indicated in a letter that he was torn by the medical marijuana legislation. He said that while he was "sympathetic to those dealing with end-of-life illnesses," he felt marijuana poses "serious public safety and health risks." Legalizing marijuana, even under limited conditions, "could serve to compound these problems," he wrote.

By Andy Birkey 5/25/09 2:09 PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill to legalize marijuana for terminally ill patients late Friday evening, saying he sides with law enforcement opposition to the bill. Bill proponents say they will introduce a constitutional amendment to bypass the governor, noting overwhelming popular support in the state on the issue.

â??While I am sympathetic to those dealing with end-of-life illnesses and accompanying pain, I stand with law enforcement in opposition to this legislation,â?� Pawlenty said in his veto letter.

â??Iâ??m disappointed in the governorâ??s action, but Iâ??m not giving up,â?� Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, said in a press release. â??This would have been the narrowest, strictest medical marijuana law in the country, but the bottom line remains that there are patients suffering terribly who need protection, and I wonâ??t stop till they are protected.â?�

Joni Whiting, whose testimony of finding marijuana for her dying daughter brought tears to many legislatorsâ?? eyes, had harsh words for Pawlenty.

â??The governor thinks Iâ??m a criminal for allowing my daughter some comfort during the last months of her life,â?� she said. â??I donâ??t know how he sleeps at night, but I do know Iâ??m not giving up until others in my daughterâ??s situation are protected.â?�

Polls show the issue is popular with voters with popular support at over 60 percent for more than a decade.

â??Since the governor has refused to listen to reason or to the overwhelming majority of Minnesotans, we have no choice but to bypass him and take this directly to the people through a constitutional amendment,â?� said Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing.