Local leaders weigh in on discussion at capitol

 

Ten states have legalized recreational marijuana use in the U.S.

In Minnesota, only medical marijuana is legal.

Local officials said they hope that remains the case as the issue is being discussed on a state level at the Capitol.

Albert Lea Deputy Chief of Police Darren Hanson expressed concern regarding the possible impact of legalizing the drug before laws regulating using the drug and driving take effect and whether legalization would worsen the nation’s mental health crisis.

Hanson noted the majority of people police interact with on calls are under the influence of multiple substances. He said he was disappointed recreational use will likely be legalized one day, especially after the anti-tobacco industry has illustrated the dangers of smoking.

District 27A Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, noted she believes marijuana legalization is coming, but not this year. She said views on legalizing marijuana do not span a partisan divide.

She said she does support medical marijuana, which is already legal in Minnesota.

“I want to find ways to make medical marijuana more accessible to people and more affordable, because it’s not,” Bennett said.

To her, the high cost of medical marijuana drives consumers to pursue the drug on the black market.

Bennett said before the drug is legalized, she wants to ensure the minimum use age is at least 21 to lessen the effect marijuana has on brain development. She wants to ensure marijuana is not used while children are in cars and that traffic deaths and injuries caused by driving while under the influence of marijuana are addressed.

“That has to be figured out before we even consider legalizing it,” she said.

Bennett said Colorado has seen an increase in marijuana-related traffic deaths, poison control calls and black market use of the drug, conduct legalization proponents argued would be lessened after the drug was legalized.

She expressed concern another mood-altering drug would be legalized.

“Adding another one is a continued dumbing down of our society,” Bennett said. “I don’t see how it promotes good by opening that up.”

To Bennett, marijuana is “a proven gateway drug” that would add societal problems.

“I just have many concerns,” she said.

Bennett said marijuana is more potent than it was when she was growing up.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, a group fighting the legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota was at the Capitol and was met by supporters of legalization.

The group, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, Minnesota, reportedly invited community members and law enforcement officials to speak to the risks of marijuana at a Capitol press conference. At least a dozen activists seeking to legalize the drug were described as interrupting the speakers with their own views.

By the end, a shouting match erupted as people on both sides of the debate grew frustrated with one another.

Gov. Tim Walz has expressed support for legalizing the drug.

District 27 Senate District DFL Chairman Joe Brown, who is superintendent of Fairmont Area Schools, said he disagrees with Walz on legalizing recreational marijuana. He noted he sponsored a bill to decriminalize the drug nearly 40 years ago as an Iowa state senator.

He said as a superintendent for the last 24 years, “I just don’t see the positive attributes of recreational marijuana.”

He predicted legalizing the drug would cause “significant challenges” for the school system and result in the drug getting into the hands of students.

Mayo Clinic spokeswoman Kristyn Jacobson said Mayo did not have a position on legalizing recreational marijuana.

“Participation in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program is voluntary for health care providers,” she said. “Mayo Clinic has developed a policy and associated procedures to guide providers who choose to participate in the program. We encourage patients with questions about the program to visit the Minnesota Department of Health’s Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program website.”