The Minnesota Senate, acting as a Committee of the Whole, gave preliminary approval on a 36-28 vote to Senate File 97, allowing qualified patients to possess and grow. Assembly approval is also likely. While Gov. Pawlenty hinted at a veto of van earlier draft, it's hoped that lower plant limits and a sunset clause will be enough that he'll let this version go into effect.
In Rhode Island, where patients growing their own were already protected from prosecution, the Senate by a 35-2 vote approved legislation expanding the law so that "compassion centers' could grow and dispense.
In Pennsylvania, sometimes dailykos diarist Mark Cohen's formally introduced with 6 cosponsors.
Illinois' Senate is expected to take up medical marijuana legislation next week.
New Hampshire's Senate approved HB 774 last week , but but the House turned it down 186 to 177. Discussions are getting underway to see if the votes are there to pass with modifications.
Last week, identical bills were introduced in New York's Senate and Assembly.
Wisconsin's legislation is awaiting technical drafting at the Legislative Reference Bureau, stuck in a backlog behind the Governor's budget. My whip counts suggests it'll eventually pass, and Governor Doyle long ago committed to signing.
North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, and Missouri have bills introduced, with no particular indication they'll reach the floor.
In Iowa and South Dakota, Committee Chairs indicate they'll bottle up bills for the dutation of the session. South Dakota activists are preparing a drive to place an initiative on the 2010 ballot. Their 54%-46% defeat in 2006 was the only Statewide medical marjjuana proposal ever turned down by voters.
UPDATE: Correction. Both the NH votes, Senate and House, were today.