MINNEAPOLIS, February 12  - A bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana (SF 97) was heard Wednesday in the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security, which recommended it to pass and re-referred it to the Committee on Judiciary.

The bill would make it legal for patients with debilitating medical conditions to procure up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana through nonprofit organizations registered with the state, but only with a physician’s approval and only to patients who have registered with the state as medical marijuana users.

The proposal is meant to ease the pain from cancer, glaucoma, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, hepatitis C, Tourette's Syndrome, or the treatment of these conditions. The bill passed the Senate last year but failed to advance in the House. Gov. Pawlenty has said he will veto the bill if the final version is opposed by law enforcement. Fourteen states allow the medical use of marijuana.

The MMA has no position on this bill since members hold opinions on both sides of this controversial issue. The Star Tribune is conducting a poll asking readers: Should the Minnesota Legislature make marijuana legal for people with a proven medical need? To weigh in or read more go to www.startribune.com/politics/state/39395302.html