The Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee has cleared a bill that would authorize use of medical marijuana for certain patients, but would not legalize marijuana, the Star Tribute reported April 9, 2008.

The bill would permit card-carrying patients to possess not more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana. It also would allow nonprofits to grow and dispense small amounts to qualifying patients, although marijuana would still be illegal in the state.

The House is expected to consider the measure in the next couple of weeks.

Given the contradictions with federal law, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has threatened to veto the bill if it does not meet the concerns of local law enforcement officials.

Despite the anticipated controversy, Rep. Chris DeLaForest (R-Andover), a co-sponsor of the House bill, believes the bill will receive bipartisan support.

"To me, this is the ultimate conservative issue," said DeLaForest. "It's about keeping the government out of the doctor-patient relationship."

Last year the Minnesota Senate passed the bill, but the House did not vote on it.