Pubdate: Sat, 30 Nov 2013
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2013 Star Tribune
Contact: http://www.startribunecompany.com/143
Website: http://www.startribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/266
Author: Laurie Blake

JAMES BACKSTROM OPPOSES MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

County Attorney Says It Would Be a Mistake for Minnesota to Legalize 
Marijuana for Medical Use.

Expecting some state legislators to try again next year to legalize 
marijuana for medical uses, Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom 
has reaffirmed his position against it.

Backstrom, joined by Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows, held a forum 
and a news conference in West St. Paul Nov. 20 to oppose the 
legalization of marijuana for medical use as a danger to public 
health and safety.

"Minnesota law enforcement officers and prosecutors have significant 
empathy for anyone suffering the ill effects of the serious medical 
diseases and conditions that 'medical' marijuana legislation is 
claimed to be needed for, but we also experience on a daily basis the 
pain and suffering that is directly and indirectly attributable to 
the illegal cultivation, distribution and possession of marijuana," 
Backstrom said.

"The simple fact of the matter is that marijuana is not a medicine," 
Backstrom said. "Rather, it is an addictive drug that is the most 
widely abused controlled substance in our state and nation. In every 
state where legislation of this nature has been adopted, serious 
problems have occurred. It would be a serious mistake for Minnesota 
to not learn from these problems and adopt legislation allowing 
marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes."

Among other things, Colorado has reported a significant increase in 
impaired driver-related deaths since legalizing marijuana for medical 
use, Backstrom said.

In Dakota County, marijuana leads to other crime, Backstrom said. 
"Marijuana is the cash crop for a lot of the gangs that deal in drugs."

Legislators approved the legalization of medical marijuana in 2009 
and it was vetoed by then Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

At the legislative session last year, about 40 legislators in both 
parties, including more than a dozen committee chairmen, worked to 
add Minnesota to the list of 18 states where it can be prescribed for 
medical purposes.

Proposed legislation would allow doctors to prescribe up to 2.5 
ounces of marijuana for patients suffering from debilitating medical 
conditions.

Gov. Mark Dayton has opposed medical marijuana because law 
enforcement officials oppose it. If it were passed again, he would be 
in a position to veto the legislation.

Backstrom said the experience in other states that have already 
legalized marijuana for medical use demonstrates that "the vast 
majority of users of 'medical' marijuana will not be using it to 
treat the complications of serious medical conditions like cancer, 
glaucoma or MS, but rather to treat pain. Experience in other states 
also tells us that despite good intentions, 'medical' marijuana will 
end up in the hands of persons not needing it for medical reasons, 
including our state's youth."

Marijuana is a dangerous drug that is associated with violent crime 
and impairs driving, Backstrom said. "It is far more powerful today 
than it was 30 years ago, and it serves as a gateway to the use of 
other illegal drugs."

The American Medical Association opposes legalization of marijuana 
for medical use. There are other ways, such as inhalers or patches, 
to deliver the active ingredient in marijuana in a form that is 
controlled for medical use, Backstrom said.

"If we call this illegal and dangerous drug a 'medicine'... this will 
clearly enhance the perception of harmlessness of this substance, and 
this in turn will result in increased use of marijuana illegally by 
other persons, including youth.

"For all of these reasons and more," he said, "the Minnesota Chiefs 
of Police Association, the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, the 
Minnesota County Attorneys Association, the Minnesota Police and 
Peace Officers Association, and the Minnesota State Association of 
Narcotics Investigators all strongly oppose the adoption of a law in 
Minnesota which would authorize the use of marijuana for medical purposes."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom