Why should the state legislature reject legalizing marijuana for medical purposes?

Reason #7 - California has medical marijuana laws similar to what has been proposed in Minnesota and the result has been a disaster.

The evidence?

• A psychiatrist has recommended marijuana to 7,000 patients.
  
  
• A medical marijuana card was given to a minor without the parents’ permission.
  
  
• Unorthodox uses: Given to children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Parents of
  these children are recommended to grow marijuana in the home and bake it in brownies. It was given to adults for depression.
  
  
• Those with marijuana cards buy marijuana and resell it.
  
  
• The Oakland Cooperative Buyers Club alone has issued over 20,000 medical marijuana
  cards.
  
  
• Oakland is now called “Oaksterdam,” America’s Amsterdam. Street cafes sell marijuana
  for medicinal use. The city has had to reduce the number of clubs from 12 to 4. Oakland has seen an increase in crime.
  
  
• Some counties are complaining about cars coming in from Oregon, Utah and around the
  state to buy marijuana.
  
  
• In some areas merchants complain that there are lines around doctors’ offices and people are littering, urinating on the sidewalks, shoplifting and scaring the merchants and patrons.
  
  
• In some counties, marijuana is being grown in residential backyards that are enclosed in barbed wire, with 24-hour guards, and bright lights. One official states, “I don’t think the voters thought there were going to be marijuana farms.” In another county the residents are complaining of the odor, stating it is a pungent skunk-like odor. As pot harvesting nears its peak, the odor grows stronger.
  
  
• Houses are being rented to use as sophisticated indoor growing operations. 20 have been
  seized in San Diego alone.
  
  
• Several counties in California are suing the state because they believe California’s medical marijuana laws are preempted under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution (Article VI) and because they conflict with a federal statute (the Controlled Substances Act) and an international treaty (the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs). They assert they should not be required to implement California’s medical marijuana laws.

We don’t want California’s medical marijuana problems in Minnesota.  Reject SF 345/HF 655.

 Berkeley Daily Planet, “Oakland Hearing To Decide Fate Of Pot-Prescribing Doc,” By Fred Gardner, September 2, 2003. As cited at www.berkeleydaily.org.

Ukiah Daily Journal, “Medical Marijuana Given To Minors,” by Glenda Anderson, September 26, 2003. As cited at www.ukiahdailyjournal.com.

Los Angeles Times, “Unorthodox Uses For Medicinal Marijuana,” by Daniel Costello, February 23, 2004. As cited at www.latimes.com.

Sun National, Health and Science Section, “Marijuana ‘dujour’ In Oakland,” by Jean Marbella, November 28, 2003. As cited at www.sunspot.net.

Oakland Tribune, “Cannabis Clubs Put Council In Tight Spot,” by Laura Counts, October 30, 2003. As cited at www.oaklandtribune.com.

Oakland Tribune, “Medical Marijuana Merchant Defies Oakland Order To Close,” by Laura Counts, June 2, 2004. As cited at www.oaklandtribune.com.

Lake County Record-Bee, “Upper Lake In An Uproar,” by John Lindblom, May 28, 2004. As cited at www.record-bee.com.

Sacramento Bee, “Pot Plot In Foothills Sparks High Anxiety - Neighbors Fear the Impact Of Medical Marijuana On Crime, Property Values,” by Niesha Lofing, August 28, 2004. As cited at www.sacbee.com.

Press Democrat, “Pungent Pot Causing Stink In Mendocino County,” by Mike Geniella, September 14, 2004. As cited at www.nl.newsbank.com.

North County Times, “Indoor Marijuana Grows Raided;” by Joe Moreland, March 22, 2004. As cited at www.nctimes.com.

“County moves medical marijuana challenge to state court,” Gig Conaughton, Staff Writer
North County Times February 3, 2006