Earlier this spring, Bluestem made fun of Steve Drazkowski for suggesting that the answer for the safe distribution of medical cannabis should be through pharmacies in our post, Draz throws stones in cannabis fight while dazed and confused about Schedule I drug sales.
We find ourselves in the rare moment when we agree with the Draz--and his fellow Republican Pat Garofalo who has pre-filed S2470DE3, a "delete-all amendment" to replace the current language of SF2470 with the veto-proof SF1641--as the Minnesota House goes into session to vote on an unworkable, expensive bill that creates one expensive monopoly while helping fewer than 6,000 suffering people.
A constituent of Representative Drazkowski sent us this exchange for our Whip Count:
Hello Representative Drazkowski,
I am writing in response to your legislative update email dated April 25th.
I am thrilled to hear that you support the legitimate and well-controlled medical use of cannabis for the patients of Minnesota. Like you I believe that the study put forward by the Governor and the House DFL leadership is an unacceptable piece of political theater that will not help a single suffering patient.
I urge you to support Senator Scott Dibble's SF1641 and vote to pass it. Senator Dibble's bill has been thoroughly vetted in the Senate to be a true "compromise" bill that eliminates many of the problems that law-enforcement has raised. The resulting bill would create one of the most restrictive medical marijuana programs in the country.
You have stated that you support a bill that allows medical marijuana in pill and oil form (not smoked) and which is supplied through a pharmacy. I believe that SF1641 is a bill that you could very reasonably support, as it conforms very closely to your desires.
This bill does not allow smoking, mandating that all medical marijuana be consumed in pill, oil or vapor form. While Federal law precludes distribution through a pharmacy, the bill sets up an even more secure distribution system. The Alternative Treatment centers that the bill establishes have better security and tracking than any existing pharmacy, as well as solid oversight by the department of Health and Human Services, including at-will unannounced inspections.
I hope that you will review this bill and come to your own conclusions. As you noted in your legislative update, easing the suffering of patients with debilitating illnesses is the compassionate thing to do.
The Draz's response:
Hi [redacted]
Thank you for writing back. Yes, I do like the senate language better than the House language. I am hopeful that the final bill will be one that I can support.
Steve.
We'll be watching the floor debate on The Uptake:
Photo: Pat Garofalo is nice to this puppy and he wants decency for suffering Minnesotans as well.
If you enjoyed reading this post, consider giving a donation via mail (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or paypal:
Comments