Medical marijuana passes Senate committee despite law enforcement concerns

“From a public safety law enforcement standpoint, there is tremendous incentive for illegal monies to be made from this legislation,” he said. “There is very little regulation. It’s almost impossible to enforce.”

“If anybody thinks that this piece of legislation won’t increase the use of marijuana in Minnesota, you are kidding yourself,” said Campion.

Currently, marijuana is unregulated, meaning that anyone may possess it under the threat of arrest and prosecution if found by a law enforcement officer. Mr. Campion is kidding himself if he thinks that law enforcement is keeping marijuana away from anyone that wants it.

Just today, using Google news and searching for marijuana, I discovered news stories that detailed a little over 5000 lbs of marijuana that was confiscated by the police on the first page alone. The Office of the National Drug Control Policy, the Border Patrol, and the DEA estimates that only 10% ever gets caught. That means they missed 45,000 lbs!!!

So, are we winning the drug war yet? We’ve spent $22.5 TRILLION (fed and states dollars) since Nixon started the War on Drugs. Yeah, I’d say we’re winning, if you consider that having the country awash with marijuana is a goal. I don’t think that we can get any more folks to use marijuana since apparently people that want to use it already are using it!

Legal or illegal, I can go to the corner convenience store and get anything I want…I mean ANYTHING….within a day at the most. Winning that drug war, huh?

Law enforcement is never happy when it comes to this issue. The legislation was adapted to meet the concerns raised by law enforcement in the last session, and STILL they aren’t satisfied. Put it to rest already! There are people that this medication helps, and law enforcement commenting on science is like politicians preaching fiscal responsibility. They are not the experts on the matter. Furthermore, until research is allowed and the DEA is not in charge of the research process, just how do they propose these “empirical” studies be completed? We instead must rely on other countries to conduct the science for us (like everything else these days.)

As a crohn’s patient, it frustrates me to no end to listen to opponents of this bill. Until you can walk a mile in a person’s shoes (or sit on their toilet for hours on end) then keep your trap shut and LISTEN. Marijuana may not be “perfect” medicine in its raw form, but it is effective and has far fewer side effects than most pharmaceuticals. I’ve taken numerous pharmaceuticals either with no relief, worsening of my condition, or dangerous side effects.

Governor Pawlenty, if you are a “man of god” as you claim, and a compassionate human being, enough with the political grandstanding already. Let this bill become law. The people of Minnesota support it. You’ll need their support come the next election.

It’s not only the medical uses, or the increase in it’s other uses, that are at stake, but the very fact the DEA has to say that they were “WRONG”. Are they really going to admit to what amounts to their defeat? Are they going to come out and actually tell a generation and a half that were lied to? Mislead?
If anyone really thinks they are going to ever admit that this tragic War being utter nonsense is, sadly, kidding themselves.
The DEA haas been making so much money on this Drug War, the drug lords are making so much money on this Drug War, and, in turn, the Politicians pockets are being so much lined with this same money; it is going to be a fight to the death to stop this flow of easy cash. Who really knows where all the money that is being poured into this Drug War? Does anyone ever come out with the facts and figures of this immense flow of money? Of course not. And they never will. I mean, we can’t even get Wall St. and the Bankers to tell us where the money goes!

Interesting to read the front page article about how Pawlenty’s budget cuts will slash police and fire forces, and yet he goes to bat for law enforcement saying this medical marijuana legislation would INCREASE crime? Talk about mixed signals, Governor! Which is it??? Seems as though taking care of putting out fires and keeping violent crime in check should be the focus of law enforcement right now, -NOT keeping medicine from sick people!

are these the same police that busted peacefull demonstraters at the RNC last year. yeah i trust their opinion.

The law enforcement community of Minnesota needs to recognize that the twin cities are a haven for illicit drug use. This is the result of America’s ever-failing drug war. The shared boarder responsibility has undoubtedly created the same wealthy “Canadian/Californian traffic-minded” individualsbecause the state does not take a more progressive stance on Marijuana. Prohibition breeds black market economics that are neither taxed or ethical. A country that is founded upon the great ideals of equality and prosperity have lost their willingness to appreciate morality,reason, and logic above the hypocritical and ignorant Moral-Minority. The American Government has made the illicit drug trade the most-popular line of work in some Canadian provinces and all of Mexico. Why would this country not want to bridge the gap between the classes by acknowledging that a non-threatening open door is better than a gun to the nose? We really could effectively start to lessen the burden PHARMACEUTICAL PILLS have upon this country if we address every individual on a more personal and understanding basis. I want the sickly to be able to help themselves whenever possible because this gives every individual the willingness to keep fighting. I want the sickly, as individuals, to be able to alleviate their pains in ways that there doctors and their own morality feel are appropriate for dealing with THEIR STRESS AND PAIN, without the fear of police and DEA threats of 10 years in prison for a small amount of marijuana. How do we continually elect leaders that allow extremely addictive opiates like OXYCOTON, ZANAX, and LORAZAPAM to infiltrate HIGH SCHOOLS, HOMES and HEALTHCARE FACILITIES while these OPIATES destroy the lives of countless people unable to find respite with their governments PURITANICAL APPROACH to democracy in 2009. The amount of bleach emptied into the GREAT LAKES on account of bleached cotton could be 1/8 with the farming of the resourceful HEMP plants(NO THC- An all MALE WORLD). Canadian provinces are doing their finest while we waste away on account of hypocritical, ignorant, and anti-empirical philosophies held by the waining droves of robots that make up much of MORAL MINORITY. We have lost priceless lives and countless money on account of the the aforementioned theocracy’s puritanical absurdities. Lets wake up and face tomorrow with the hope that the WAR ON DRUGS will shirk the fiscally and energy-costly foolish unconstitutional antics employed by our DEA. Rather align our great people’s masses by acknowledging that a pothead is much more beneficial for society than an OXY-COTON HEAD, let alone in no way shape of form like/as a crackhead. May we as a nation gain a new ally, and an extremely successful companion in the fight to keep CARTELS from taking over mexico and our BORDERS. People only turn to desperate antics when they are forced by their GOVERNMENT’s inability to perceive the boredom and desperation created by Prohibition. Government Regulation in regards to Medicinal Marijuana will indeed create a more sustainable code of laws and behavior for AMERICANS.

It is a sad day for me. My state of Wisconsin, where I was born and raised. Where I graduated from High School (Arrowhead H.S) and successfully obtained my B.A. in both English and History from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. I am doing everything in my power to leave this state because of the failure of the Wisconsin State Senate to realistically asses the value behind having a more tolerant stance with regards to the medical marijuana debate. I live in fear; harassed by the police and constantly being told I am not going to be given the trust necessary for a job because I have had problems with a law that so whole heartedly seeks to destroy the lives of citizens by denying a medicine given to men/women by a higher power. These laws make it possible for my best friend to blindly kill himself from morphine provided by the state to curb his addiction to heroine while his salvation could have came via a more progressive stance on Medicinal Marijuana. My mother is destroying herself with opiates like Lorazepam and Zanax given to her by your own Waukesha County’s Health and Human Services. Far from justice she lies, unable to go to the bathroom by herself, or make coherent sentences. How is it that these people are allowed to slowly kill themselves while the major medicine companies thrive? I have been diagnosed with bipolar and attention deficit disorder. Marijuana helps me to deny the addictions I have incurred because of cigarettes and doctor prescriptions. I will never stop smoking marijuana and for that I must seek refuge in more progressive states such as California. This unsuccessful and vicious cycle waged by our government’s irresponsible lawmakers has caused very little but a heartache in the homes of many, and a headache for our tax payers. I have recently found myself regretting the foundations of a flawed American system, as opposed to loving a country founded in principles of equality and understanding to all. These ideas were noted as progressive in July of 1776. We must enthusiastically support a progressive view of equality and understanding to those that suffer from ailments that find little remedy other than Marijuana. I have voted for a Democrat in every state, local, and major election since I turned 18 in 1999. I am a proponent of the principles of our system because I believe change is possible in our Country and it should start where our great Wisconsin Senators started this freight train . Please accept my humble plead to please be allowed access to Medicinal Marijuana as to avoid being a constant target for Police Officers and Legislator. I treat this earth with as much respect as she truly deserves, and believe in Islam as a proper guide by which to develop my personal life as well as the lives of my future children (Allah Willing). Therefore, our officers will never find me drinking or using any controlled substance. They will never find me in the state in which I see a thousand young Wisconsin youth heading. A “prescription” for a Nightmare written by the very doctors who represent the state on all levels. The people of Oconomowoc have a magnified understanding of the destruction prescription medicine has had on the poor victims of Dr. Benson’s ill thought remedy for his psychological horrors. Let’s see if we can help these people and the youth by providing sustainable ways of dealing with one of the only negative (con)stants of American Domestic Diplomacy: our addiction to drugs such as opiates/opiate based prescriptions, cocaine, and amphetamines. Marijuana has been tolerated in European countries only to fin d huge success with the Tactic. As a citizen I beg for your help in seizing the benefits of medical marijuana because equality has no shape, color, or creed just well-founded beliefs that an individual be given proper cure for what ailments they endure within a day’s struggles.

I think medicinal marijuana is a great idea. Even my parents who oppose most drugs and find most drugs disgusting are in favor of medicinal marijuana. There was a time when marijuana was legal. There was also a time when alcohol was illegal, yet it’s perfectly acceptable for one to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with friends every now and then. Despite Obama’s opposition to legalization of pot, I do agree that legalization might boost the economy. I also think cigarettes are much worse for one than pot. Unless of course you are smoking pure additive free tabacco, but even then there aren’t really any medicinal benefits to tobacco. Marijuana, while bad for the respiratory system if consumed by inhalation does still have medicinal benefits.

I have excruciating and chronic back pain. I have MRI results to prove what is causing the pain. It is possible surgery is the only hope I have for a longterm solution. I have tried everything else. But perhaps weed could help ease pain or at least calm and relax me enough to not think about it. I have anxiety and depression as well. Along with PTSD. Contrary to what anti-weed people will tell you, I can often feel relaxed by weed. The only time I don’t is because I might have a slight fear of being caught by the police for consumption of a small amount of marijuana and/or being somewhat high. If it were legal or I had a legal prescription for it, the fear of police might go away. Due to a painful divorce I went through a phase of not being able to eat much of anything and losing weight fast. Perhaps getting the munchies might have helped at that time. Same thing for people recovering from eating disorders or unable to eat due to cancer treatments and drugs. Perhaps it could be used as an alternative to laughing gas at the dentist’s office. Perhaps to calm one before an MRI.

I occasionally do smoke weed, although I do not have a prescription for it. That being said, if medicinal marijuana were legal, I have a strong feeling I could be considered a strong candidate for receiving it. I already have doctor prescriptions for controlled substances for things like ADD, anxiety, PTSD, etc. I have and have had prescriptions for medications that are sold on the black market to addicts who don’t have a prescription. The prescriptions I have can be considered addictive and yet I have legal prescriptions that are paid for by my health insurance. Yet marijuana is not addictive. There are people who are addicted to it, but like alcohol, it is not an addictive substance but rather some individuals have substance absue problems. On the flipside, there are some drugs that are inherenetly addictive to anyone who would take them. That would include cigarettes which are legal, as well as crack, heroin, meth, and so on. And even ADD medications often mimic cocaine or to some extent meth even. Oxycotin is highly addictive yet is prescribed to some individuals. Caffeine is addictive and people drink it all the time freely. Morphine is on a drip for countless hospital patients. It seems to work quite well being legal in the Netherlands.

Seriously, what WOULD be the big deal about legalizing marijuana, at LEAST in medicinal form, if not altogether?

It’s all about the money… not that they’re making any to show for it… but they’re confiscating and spending lots trying!
I think that our government overstepped its charter when it started legislating against marijuana in the first place!
As a christian I believe the bible – and I don’t have to search beyond Genesis 1 for support of Marijuana as a gift from God. Genesis 1:29 “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth…” The last dollar bill I spent still said “In God we trust” on it… so…what was the deal with outlawing a medicine that has been used (safely) for centuries? They couldn’t make money on medicine you can grow in your back yard!