Talking Points: Differences In House & Senate Medical Marijuana Bills

Signing Bill into Law
Photo by: gwolters/Shutterstock

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Bills legalizing medical marijuana could be voted on in both the Minnesota House and Senate this week, but the House and Senate versions are significantly different. That has led to disagreements among supporters that some say threaten passage of any type of bill.
Medical marijuana has seemingly died several times at the Capitol this session only to be born again in different forms.
Right now, the Senate version of the bill has stripped out smoking, leaving only the pill form, an oil extract or the use of a vaporizer that heats up the leaves and emits a marijuana steam.
The House bill is even more restrictive, saying anyone using a marijuana vaporizer would have to do it under the supervision of a medical professional. Currently all 21 states and the District of Columbia that have legalized medical marijuana allow for smoking.
The proposed restrictions on smoking have some supporters here crying foul. Others are calling for unity.