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

Reason #3 - HF 655 would very likely flood the state with marijuana production and use.

A few things to consider:

1. The grounds for which a doctor could recommend the use of marijuana are virtually limitless.  In section 2, subd 4, all one needs is a “Chronic medical condition that produces chronic pain.”  What’s that?  A tennis elbow. Sore knees. Back spasms. Stiffness. Headache.  This opens the door for abuse.  In California, one psychiatrist recommended marijuana to 7,000 patients.   In Oregon, it’s reported that 6 doctors have accounted for 6,000 of the 10,000 recommended marijuana users in that state.
   
   
2. An unlimited supply of marijuana is conceivable.  Section 2, subd. 2.  The amount of marijuana available to growers and patients is virtually unlimited.  The bill allows suppliers of the marijuana to produce huge amounts of marijuana.  Commercial amounts of marijuana.  For their five patients, they could grow 60 marijuana plants which can produce between 60 and 300 pounds.  How many joints can be produced by 60 to 300 pounds of marijuana?  27,240 to 136,200.  That’s a lot of marijuana.
   
   
3. There are no restrictions on how many users or growers there are, amounts individuals can access, and where it can be grown.  According to section 2, subd. 8, even 18-year-old boys can grow hundreds of pounds of marijuana in their basement or backyard.  Minor children can use medical marijuana and possess 2.5 ounces which equals roughly 70 cigarettes at any one time.  Nothing prevents a minor from taking marijuana to school.
   
   
   Very lax medical marijuana laws in other states like California have flooded those states with marijuana.  This legislation has the potential to flood Minnesota with marijuana production and use far beyond any supposed medical purposes.

Reject legalizing the smoking of marijuana for medical purposes.  Protect the health of all Minnesotans.

Sources:  Drug Identification Bible, Third Edition, page 606, Tim Marnell editor, Denver, CO, 800-772-2539 (a book for law enforcement, parents and educators) "Drug Availability Estimates in the United States," Chapter 4: Estimates of Marijuana Availability in the United States, Table 4-5, footnote 87, December 2002, www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov. Verified by: Special Agent Douglas S. Collier, Public Information Officer, NJ Division, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), US Department of Justice.  Drug Free Schools Coalition. 203 Main St., P.M.B. 327, Flemington, NJ  08822