Yesterday, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I heard arguments for and against a bill which would legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in Minnesota.
A copy of the bill, as it began the hearing is Linked Here as SF 345. ( I’ll post an updated version of the bill, including amendments, when it’s available).
I have a conflicted opinion of this bill. I do believe that some people could benefit from using marijuana to alleviate intractable pain, nausea from cancer, glaucoma, HIV symptoms, etc.
But, the bill is written so loosely, that it would allow thousands of people to become “registered non-profit organizations”, which are allowed to grow up to 12 marijuana plants per “patient” they have signed up. (Each plant can yield up to 4-6 pounds of marijuana per year)
Law Enforcement would not be able to effectively enforce the law. In fact, under the bill, Police could not search, seize, arrest or charge people who have a registration card. Organizations could locate on main streets throughout Minnesota, sending a bad message to children who are tempted by drugs enough already. The bill also conflicts with Federal law, which still lists Marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. The FDA does not recognize marijuana as having any medicinal value.
I’ll post more information on this issue as the bill continues to move through the process. I voted against the bill in Judiciary committee, but it still passed by a 5-4 vote. This is an issue that needs to be decided at the Federal level. Only then can doctors legally prescribe, and pharmacists legally dispense. We just cannot have marijuana growing in thousands of homes and business around the State.
I think that I could improve the bill. The first change would be to limit the number of “registered organizations” to one. (perhaps the U of M agri-college) the second change would be to allow random searches of organizations or “patients” at any time. But, proponents seem very strident and unwilling to change the bill.
[…] Medicinal Marijuana: The Bill just wont work.Yesterday, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I heard arguments for and against a bill which would legalize marijuana for medicinal… […]
I’m troubled by a number of assertions in your article. I don’t know why you would harbor such negativity towards legitimate patients.
If they have a prescription, why would you require them to be searched randomly? Do we randomly search other people with prescriptions?
Furthermore, even if the Federal Government doesn’t like it, this is *exactly* how the US democracy is _supposed_ to work. States don’t need to sit around and wait for the Feds to decide on things - if their citizens are suffering and they can help them, they should. Washington isn’t always right and we all know it.
If you try and limit the production to only the U, you’re taking money out of the pockets of Northfield farmers. The family farm has been suffering for years and years - I don’t know why you would limit them like this. It’s seems like a very valuable cash crop.
I’ll leave with a quote from *George W. Bush* from 1999:
WASHINGTON - Gov. George Bush said he backs a state’s right to decide whether to allow medical use of marijuana, a position that puts him sharply at odds with Republicans on Capitol Hill. “I believe each state can choose that decision as they so choose,” the governor said recently in Seattle in response to a reporter’s question.
…and while I’m thinking about it, I thought you were *for* reducing the cost of prescriptions. Can’t get any cheaper than “free - I grew it myself”.
Tom,
Thank you for your willingness to fight for FDA approved THC.
The smoked medical pot bill is a health risk to Minnesotans.
Think of a prescription bottle. The label contains a wealth of information designed to protect the consumer. Not so with this bill. In fact, the consumer won’t know what they are getting - Minnesota Green or Panama Red.
Also, studies show pot delivers 50-70% more carcinogens that a cigarette. However, cigarette packages are required by law to post health risks.
This pot law provides no such warning.
Follow the link for a comparison.
http://mnfamilycouncil.blogspot.com/2007/03/minnesota-pot-bill-is-unhealthy-and.html
Might I point out that you don’t have to smoke marijuana. You can easily cook it into baked goods or capsule form.
Those suffering from nausea often smoke it simply due to the fact that they cannot ‘keep anything down’. You cannot vomit up smoke.
Also their carcinogen factoid is incorrect. Consider Washington Post article which shows no connection between marijuana and lung cancer. (It may show a *negative* connection, but that wasn’t being investigated. Negative connection == *less* lung cancer than *not smoking at all*.)
New study shows pot linked to lung cancer.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10431024
Marijuana is harmful to Minnesotan’s
Two recent cases linking marijuana to murder in Minnesota. Follow link and scroll down.
http://mnfamilycouncil.blogspot.com/2007/03/dfl-rep-larry-hosch-enables-pot-bill-to.html
Marijuana linked to dragging of police officer and death of driver.
http://mnfamilycouncil.blogspot.com/2007/04/more-marijuana-related-death-and-mayhem.html
Chuck, it’s not surprising that smoking marijuana could cause lung cancer — though the studies may disagree — you are smoking it, after all. To me, though, a slight risk of hurting yourself isn’t significant enough to justify having something outlawed; should we outlaw red meat because it increases your risk of heart disease?
We’re a country founded on libertarian ideals and unless marijuana poses a significant risk to others, it shouldn’t be illegal — especially in extraordinary situations like those with cancer patients.
Also note that you *can* eat marijuana by cooking it into baked goods, for those who do not wish to smoke it.
The only differences between smoked and edible MM are:
1. Quick relief - unlike pain pills one can find relief from pain and discomfort within minutes of smoking rather than the 15-45 for eating
2. Nauseated patients - For people who cannot keep anything down. A smoked product cannot be vomited back up.
[…] Loretta Nall wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptBut, the bill is written so loosely, that it would allow thousands of people to become “registered non-profit organizations”, which are allowed to grow up to 12 marijuana plants per “patient” they have signed up. … […]
I think we should outlaw all prescription drugs that can be used for recreation. Also, alcohol because it causes liver disease and is abused by many people, including kids who have easy access to it by way of their parents keeping it in the house.
What I mean to say is, we should outlaw all those if Medical Marijuana is to remain illegal. A link to murder and marijuana, Chuck (see Chuck’s comment above)? Is that worse than vehicular manslaughter or other alcohol-related fatalities? Any cases of murder by people who are on alcohol, or people who aren’t “on” anything at all?
I’d like to hear the open and honest truth; why is legalizing marijuana so controversial? There’s plenty of ways for people to hurt themselves or abuse legal drugs and alcohol. I don’t believe pot is a gateway drug, it just seems that way because no one is going to first do meth, acid, cocaine, and then say, “I think I’d like to try some pot now, and see what that’s like.” If it’s part of a person’s personality to take such risks as getting into drugs, going from cigarettes to pot then to the hard stuff is the common route. On the other hand, if that type of risk-taking isn’t part of a person’s character, they won’t go that far. Children are not as naive today as they were in my generation, and the best way to regain credibility is for the adults to set an example, and to be honest. Tell a child alcohol is bad, but they can see at least multiple pubs in most towns as they walk down a street, alcohol in a kitchen cupboard, in movies, in a liquor cabinet, or cigarettes at every convenience store. If adults want to be credible with kids and send the right message, we may actually have to set an example and not mixed messages. Again, I ask, why is Medical Marijuana so controversial?
(This is a tangent from medicinal marijuana, but…)
Andy,
I really like what you said. I’m in high school now, so it wasn’t all that long ago when I had in intensive year of D.A.R.E. curriculum (2000). At the time, I had no reason to doubt anything they told us and it wasn’t until a few years after that when I started to realize that most of the stuff they taught us simply wasn’t true.
Today, I’m surrounded by a lot of kids who will try any drugs (not marijuana mind you, pot would be relatively innocent) without really knowing how it’ll affect their bodies because they were never given accurate, objective drug education. Even though some of what D.A.R.E. and similar programs teach is true, it’s been tossed aside with the lies as just more deceitful propaganda. It’s not okay for our government to lie to us and it’s not okay for our government to deny us a right if it’s not be able express a reason for the denial.
So on that note, Senator Neuville — as a part of our government — I would like you to briefly explain right here, right now why marijuana should remain illegal.
People take drugs all the time, some abuse them, some don’t. Some are perscriptions, some are over the counter, and some are illegal. Reguardless of the states decision to legalise medicinal marijuana. We all know the true gateway drug is cigarettes, followed by alchol, the “leagal” drugs. The only reason marijuana is the first of “illegal” drugs that most people try with out a prescription. It basically comes down to an indiviual choice, Am I going to use or abuse a paticular substance? Those who choose the path of abuse are going to do it reguardless of the law. At least give those who can benifit from the medicinal effects of any substance a chance to do it legally, with doctor supervison, just like any other controlled substance. There are alot of theories about why marijuana is illegal.. http://www.world-mysteries.com/marijuana1.htm is one site that I found that explains most stuff, the best way to find out the truth is to research it. If you dont beleive any part of this artical, research it for yourself. Take the time to read the artical, look up the sited sources and find the truth. As far as the law enforcement aspect of it, they are payed by the taxpayers and the state to enforce the law, so all they have to do is keep up the good work, by enforcing the laws of the state. For example if you dont have a drivers license,then you get a ticket from an officer of the law , pay a fine, ect.. The same should apply for medical marijuana cardholders.. One of the comments I read in the above artical, was confusing. The following quote “Law Enforcement would not be able to effectively enforce the law. In fact, under the bill, Police could not search, seize, arrest or charge people who have a registration card. Organizations could locate on main streets throughout Minnesota, sending a bad message to children who are tempted by drugs enough already.” The only reason people think marijuana is bad and not medicine, is because they were taught to think that way. Education is key. First of all, Can people search, seize, arrest or charge a person with a doctor’s perscription for motrin?, secondly if children are properly educated, it wont send a bad message. People in our country need to wake up, and use their heads.
Medical marijuana. bill looks stall.A suggestion to transfer a state.Program won’t be allowed, ordered the program should check in Public Safety.
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Rocky
Addiction Recovery Minnesota