A brand new ad by the Marijuana Policy Project will begin airing Thursday on cable stations in greater Minnesota and statewide next week.

The latest in the series features former Fillmore County sheriff and state representative, Neil Haugerud.

In the 60 second ad, Haugerud says he is in constant pain because of an inflammation of the spine and says he has discussed the use of marijuana with his doctors.

"If there is something out there that can help me, like marijuana, I'd like to use it," said Haugerud.

He also said members of law enforcement who are speaking out against legalizing medical marijuana should stick to upholding the law.

"Law enforcement, I think, is stepping out of bounds. Law enforcement is there to enforce the laws in relation to what the law is, they really don't need to influence on what the laws should be," said Haugerud.

Many in law enforcement feel it would be too difficult to enforce medical marijuana laws, and fear legalizing it would cause flooding of marijuana into the criminal market.

Neal Levine, director of state campaigns for the Medical Marijuana Policy Project, said if the bill is passed, the process for which a person would be able to use medical marijuana would be highly regulated.

Levine said a doctor would have to classify a patient with having a qualifying condition and then recommend to the state health department the patient use marijuana. After the patient presents their written submission and a fee, and the health department approves it, they would be sent a card with a photo ID and a unique identifying number that would be tied to a blind data base.

In Minnesota it is illegal to use marijuana for any reason, but that could soon change.

A bill headed to the House floor seeks to make Minnesota the 13th state to allow medical marijuana. The Senate already approved the legislation last year.

If it passes the House, the bill will then go before Governor Tim Pawlenty who is expected to veto. He has said he stands with law enforcement in opposition of the bill.

The Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project says it's spending more than $100,000 to air the television ads.
kare11.com :: KARE 11 TV - Medical marijuana controversy heats up with latest ad

Another update for my friends to the west.

Have a good one!:jointsmile: