[420 Girl]

An Ely man is crossing his fingers, hoping that the Minnesota House will soon pass a bill to make medicinal marijuana legal. KK Forss ruptured a disc in his back four years ago and lives in constant pain. "It never ends, its every day, all day," Forss said. He can't work anymore, and says he lives a rather lonely existence, sometimes spending 21 hours a day in bed.

Medicine dulls the pain in his back, neck and arm, but it also affects his memory. He says he constantly feels "toxic," and over-medicated. What helps the most, Forss said, is marijuana. "I slept, I was able to do small work projects," he said. "I was able to do simple things."

Forss doesn't use marijuana now, but has in the past. He says it wouldn't entirely cure his pain, but it would allow him to stop taking some pills. "It's an amazing supplement to go along with things," he said. "I would definitely be able to give up some medications, especially the side effect ones."

Minnesota lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it legal for people like Forss to legally smoke marijuana. The bill passed in the Senate last year and the House is expected to vote on it in the next few weeks.

The bill, authored by Rep. Tom Huntley of Duluth, would only apply to patients with certain conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, chronic illnesses and HIV.

A doctor would have to verify that a patient would benefit from it. An ID card would be issued by the Minnesota Department of Health. Only then, could a patient have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.

Those opposed to the legislation have several concerns. Some say it's a gateway drug. Police worry that it will make enforcement of other drugs more difficult. Still others worry about the health risks, and argue it could get into the wrong hands.

Forss acknowledges those concerns, but says they are the same concerns as any other legal narcotic. He says the benefits it would provide him and others are well worth it.

"There's a lot of people in worse shape than I am, and I want to die everyday," he said. "I don't understand why we don't do anything we can to help them."

Governor Tim Pawlenty says he will most likely veto the bill. However, if it passes, it would make Minnesota the 13th state in the country to pass such legislation.

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