MN HF3443

Establishes a medical necessity defense in Minnesota law that allows defendants in criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings to introduce evidence or testimony regarding medical need for marijuana use or therapeutic benefits derived from marijuana as a mitigating or exculpatory circumstance.

Permits courts to consider medical necessity evidence and testimony on appeal under established rules for any verdict, ruling, or decision reached in criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings.

Excludes charges involving sale of more than a small amount of marijuana from the medical necessity defense.

Does not apply to purely private contractual or disciplinary situations between employers and employees unless specifically incorporated into a collective bargaining agreement.