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

Reason #4 - HF 655 would make our current marijuana laws practically unenforceable.

A few things to consider under this legislation:

1. State law enforcement officials would be prohibited from cooperating with federal drug enforcement officials in enforcing federal drug laws. Section 5, subd. 7.
   
   
2. State officials would be prohibited from inspecting marijuana growing operations by registered organizations unannounced. This is analogous to precluding food inspectors from inspecting food operations at restaurants and food handlers unannounced. It would give these organizations a head’s up if they are engaging in illegal activity. Section 11, subd 5.
   
   
3. Law enforcement officials cannot use the results of a drug test, which contains traces (metabolites) of marijuana, in a DUI prosecution of a qualified medical marijuana user. See section 6.
   
   
4. Flooding the state with marijuana production and allowing tens of thousands of individuals to use marijuana for ostensibly medical purposes will thwart any efforts to restrict the use of marijuana for non-medical purposes. In California, one psychiatrist has recommended marijuana use to 7,000 individuals.
   
   
5. This bill makes drug paraphernalia into medical devices for the delivery of a medical drug. The FDA strictly regulates medical devices. Bongs will have to be approved medical devices by the FDA. How do local law enforcement officials sort this out?
   
   
6. Fines of $500 are minimal at best for people lying to a police officer to avoid a drug charge. This applies to suppliers, registered organizations, and patients. Also, there’s no effective way of monitoring where these patients or suppliers are located. Section 7
   
   
7. There is no effective way of preventing patients from “sharing” marijuana with others because they can renew the 2.5 ounces they are allowed to possess at any time. 2.5 ounces equals about 70 marijuana joints at one time. Section 2, subd. 2

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