Wednesday Ends Long Wait For Medical Marijuana Patients
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- After a year and a half of passionate debate, the moment has almost arrived.
At midnight Wednesday, medical marijuana will be sold in the state of Minnesota.
Minnesota Medical Solutions in downtown Minneapolis will open its doors at midnight. And LeafLine, which grows cannabis in Cottage Grove, will begin to distribute in Eagan at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Sixty-five people have been cleared to receive marijuana so far under the new law. Supporters hope it will lead to broader laws that would include more people with medical conditions.
The word "marijuana" may make some people think of an illegal party drug, but the green plant was the source of a completely different celebration Tuesday night for Beth Hundley.
She and a tight group of parents of children with special medical needs see marijuana as a source of medicinal hope.
After heated debate, a bill written by Scott Dibble passed. And 18 months after Hundley and a group of parents showed up at the governor's house, marijuana is hours from being dispensed.
"I think we finally sold everyone on the fact it could help our children," Hundley said.
These families each have a story and a journey. Harlow Hundley's started at just 3 months old. She had her first seizure -- which lasted more than 20 minutes. Three years later, her parents and doctors are trying to get them under control.
"Tomorrow means a whole new opportunity to give her a chance at some seizure freedom and some more ways to enjoy her life," Hundley said.
This feeling is shared by a list of families battling seizures, Tourette's, cancer and a list of other illnesses.
Companies warn it may not be a cure-all, but now it is an option.
"We're just putting it out in the universe that this is going to be Harlow's miracle," Hundley said.
Two mothers will receive the first two prescriptions for medical marijuana Wednesday for their adult sons, who have both battled life-long illnesses.
LeafLine, one of two companies providing medical marijuana, announced Tuesday night that they do not have medicine ready for epilepsy patients.
They have notified five current patients that there is a delay until the end of July.
