Poll: Should Minnesota legalize marijuana use?

Stephanie Curtis November 28, 2012, 9:15 AM Nov 28, 2012

We’re talking about legalizing pot at 10:20. Kerri would like to hear from people who use marijuana: What are the benefits and dangers?

–Stephanie Curtis, social media host

About the blogger

Stephanie Curtis

scurtis@mpr.org • @stephcurtis

Stephanie Curtis has produced events, daily news shows, documentaries, conferences and call-ins for MPR News. She also was among the pioneering producers who launched The Current. You can hear her discuss movies every Thursday on The Cube Critics.

Mark

I am for ending all prohibition. We can expect that energy for repealing prohibtion will not occur simply within the US, but from our neighbors to the south. To paraphrase Thucydides, we no longer have the geopolitical power to do what we can while forcing Andean states to suffer what they must.

Our prohibition funds terror that has profoundly malignant effects on these countries.

judi

I gave up smoking pot in my late 20’s but now in my late 50’s i see it as great supplement to other things I do to relax. Also a wonderful alternative to pain killers as things like arthritis become a factor in my life. I don’t like the idea of breaking the law and dealing with unknowns but would love to be able to easily acquire some quality pot.

Andy

Like Judi, I would like to be able to use cannabis for many different uses without punishment by law enforcement. I suffer from chronic anxiety and chronic migraines. Cannabis effectively treats both of these ailments with limited side effects. I also smoke recreationally with friends and find that I feel much better than friends who binge drink and suffer all kinds of health consequences in the short and long term. This is all under the more important issue for me, ending the drug war. I am concerned about youth access to cannabis.

Mike

A quick question… Is there a chance the decriminalization of marijuana could/would lead to the decriminalization of other substances such as LSD, DMT, Ecstasy, Mushrooms which also have low addiction rates?

Kevin Kooiker

There wasn’t a chance to comment on the North Star interview. My family lives in the Big Lake area. We have experience with transit after living in Philadelphia and Boston, and trips to Europe. We would love to take the North Star line into Minneapolis for shows and concerts, & to the airport, but the schedule does not allow that type of use. We need hourly service both ways until midnight or so to make the North Star line useable for people like us.

Dave

Cigarettes are the gateway drug.

David Korb

Its fairly well known that shell fish, peanuts, bananas, and other food products are dangerous to certian people. Pot, like the items mentioned may be unsafe for a certian population, but when compared to other recreational drugs such as tobacco, spirits, over the counter narcotics, etc has proven to be safer by a huge margin. If the drug companies knew how effictive stinging nettles tea is to combat inflamation, they would immediatly ban its use, but not for everyone! When I started my career, I was so Attention Deficet Disorder, I survived because of the illegal use of marijuana. At age 60ish, I no longer use or need this crutch, but I hate to think what would have become of my career and that of my employees had I followed the law.

Maggie

Is there any way to accurately determine if someone is driving under the influence of pot? Will it impair a driver’s response time? Doesn’t it stay in the body’s system longer so one could say that the marijuana was used two weeks ago though he/she may have used it that day? I have family members who are in jobs where they are concerned about worker productivity if their co-workers take a few pot breaks during the day.

John

What seems to be missing from the “gateway drug” argument is the simple fact that marijuana being illegal exposes those that use it to a darker side of our society. Legalizing it minimizes this, allowing users to be no more exposed to illegal activity than beer.

Ned

If you actually look at the effects of marijuana on the brain and the body, it’s clear that it is much less harmful. It doesn’t go killing brain cells, you’re not ingesting rat poison. Things like driving while high are clearly issues that must be addressed, but this is a logical step. The facts clearly show that it is not a drug as harmful as cocaine or heroine, with which it is categorized. If the lumber industry hadn’t felt threatened by hemp in the early 20th century, it would not be an issue.

Mark

Oh come on… yeah the narco terrorists wont be eliminated by ending prohibition, but their funding would be extremely curtailed. You think FARC could have maintained a 15000 member force if cocaine was legal in the US?

Come on.

Nick

Our family recently completed the adoption process. One of the steps along the way was deciding what forms of birth mother drug exposure we would be open to. We did a lot of research, and marijuana was by far the most benign with virtually no side effects for the infant. On the other hand, excessive alcohol and cigarette use had horrible potential consequences for the baby.

Cassie

Yes, Minnesota (and the nation) should legalize marijuana. I would like to see the amount of deaths due to drug trafficking decrease/disappear and this is a step in the right direction. People will continue to seek out this product, and someone will always be there to provide it for them, much like the mob provided alcohol during the days of prohibition-it is unfortunate that for so long the groups benefiting from these sales have been drug cartels and dealers, instead of local business owners and states.

Don

I feel it is a gateway drug due to the fact that the dealers who sell pot often sell more powerful/addictive drugs which they have a financial interest in “pushing”. This would presumably not be such a problem if it were purchased through legal and controlled means of distribution.

Jon

I smoke, and have smoked, most every day for the past 14 years. I have been gainfully employed that entire time in high-skill positions. I am an engaged, active member of my community, and I am tired of having to hide this minor aspect of my life, while at the same time, Minnesota sees high rates of alchohol abuse. It’s high time (pun intended) for people to look at the facts, and realize that the recreational use of marijuana is not a danger to society; conversely, excessive drug laws and zealous enforcement and prosecution of marijuana possession have put a lot of nonviolent “criminals” in prison, which IS a danger to our society.

David Korb

In America, marijuana is illegal, yet our police force willingly sprays tear gas directly into your face for any reason, freedom of speech is reason enough for our police force as we witnessed during the Occupy movement

kevin hunt

“Congress should definitely consider decriminalizing possession of marijuana….We should concentrate on prosecuting the rapists and burglars who are a menace to society.” – U.S. Representative Dan Quayle, March 1977

David

End the criminal and unconstitutional prohibition of hemp cannabis now!

It was all about making the 1 percent richer.

Give the plant back to the people let’s heal the planet!

Tom

The current version of pot is dramatically stronger than that of the 70s version, 1 toke now versus 1 joint then. I can’t image the average person functioning in society with such a powerful drug. With alcohol people can drink a beer and drive home but a pot smoker could not take a toke (certainly not more than that) and drive home. So how do we regulate this? I don’t want to be surrounded by people who can’t drive but can’t really be tested. Pot is a different drug than it used to be so we should be having a slightly different conversation to adjust to this factor.

Michael

Repeal the Prohibition of the world’s most utilitarian plant, Cannabis (“sweet hemp” as Abraham Lincoln called it).

Jon

Maggie, That’s a false argument. If employees were smoking pot in the middle of the day, that would be no less acceptable than drinking in the middle of the day while on the job. Just because alcohol is legal, does not make it acceptable to use when driving, working, in class, etc.

Anonymous

What about alcohol being a gateway drug? I’m glad your guest mentioned vaporizers, that’s the doctor recommended way as smoking any organic material is harmful, it’s also the way i use and find it is a much better, healthier experience. It’s time we end prohibition and allow adults to choose a safer alternative to alcohol & tobacco- which kill thousands every year.

Jonathan

Tom,

Strains of cannibis have become more potent, but the drug, and the underlying mechanism of action, remains the same. And your assertion that you can drink a beer and drive home merely illustrates your own bias towards alcohol as an acceptable drug. Depending on your bodyweight and natural tolerance, and the content of the beer, you may indeed NOT be safe to drive home. No argument FOR legalizing pot should be conflated with an argument AGAINST responsible behavior.

Chris

I agree with Dave that Cigarettes are the gateway drug. It is unfair to me that recreational users are discriminated at the workplace just because they use at home. You are expected not to come to work drunk and the same should apply to weed but it shouldn’t matter what you do on your time. I’ve worked my way to an engineering position with a 2 year degree in a matter of 4 years. Grass doesn’t make you poor employee. Businesses should quite testing for it and the government should legalize it! Been smoking for a good 12 years

Mike Parent

Absolutely.

Prohibitionists have been lying for decades for all the wrong reasons.

Lie #1 Gateway Drug.

FACT Marijuana is NOT a Gateway Drug. Here’s a 12 Yr Univ Study that says so;.

Andrew Hryckowian – University of Pittsburgh.

http://www.pitt.edu/~ugr/Hrych2.pdf

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Raven-… Marijuana is not a.

“gateway” drug.

Lie #2 Marijuana is addictive.

FACT Marijuana is no more addictive and less harmful than Caffeine;.

Dr Henningfield is a former NIDA Staffer;.

Addictiveness of Marijuana – ProCon.org.

http://www.procon.org/view.background...

urce.php? resourceID=1492

In April 1997, after reviewing the literature, Dr. Henningfield changed

his ratings of marijuana and caffeine’s tolerance and dependence to 5’s.

and 6’s.

Lie #’s 3 & 4, Marijuana has no Medicinal Use and is Dangerous.

FACT In 1988, a DEA Administrative judge wrote, in a report.

Commissioned by the DEA; “16. Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of.

the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any

measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a

supervised routine of medical care.”

http://www.ccguide.org/young88…”

FACT For good measure, the CDC reported Med Marijuana doesn’t increase teen use.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57456999-10391704/medical-marijua…

wont-boost-teen-pot-use-study-finds/”
RF

I would be more apt to support the use of medicinal marijuana if went through the the same process as all other medications.

FDA approval–>prescibed by medical doctors–> gotten a pharmicies –> given by pharmacists

I work in the chemical dependency field so I see the negative effects marijuana has in people’s lives on a daily basis. The legalization of marijuana would not benefit the greater good of society in anyway much less the individuals who believe they “need it.”
JJ

One of the reasons I constantly keep hearing from the prohibitionists is that “well, it only takes one toke now versus one joint back in the day” as a previous poster had mentioned, and that “Pot is much more stronger now than it was back then.” This is false and people often forget that back in the 60’s and 70’s, nearly all of the Marijuana in the U.S. was imported from countries where archaic harvesting techniques dating back centuries were still in use and the product was then bricked together and smuggled in extremely poor conditions (gas tanks, inside of tires, etc.). A humongous decrease in quality and potency obviously happens during those kinds of processes. Old strains like Columbian Gold will still hold it’s own up against many of the poly-hybrids we’re seeing today.
DanA

Another thing to make people lazier and prone to over eat? Smart America!
William Boudreau

I was a smoker/subject in the 1972 Shafer Report on marijuana, the last and largest of its type. We smoked ‘Mississippi Madness’ THC guaranteed 4-8%, far better (3 tokes) than anything sold for less than $500 an oz. these days. Read about it in my book, ‘No Compelling Reason,’ or check out the website, nocompellingreason.com
Brad

Certainly some people should not smoke marijuana. Certainly some people have more than enough problems with life as it is. The same is true of alcohol use. That is no reason to prevent the majority of people who do not have these problems from enjoying something that can enhance their life.

Regarding the ” GATEWAY DRUG ” issue. If marijuana was brought into controlled sale conditions and could be legally purchased, buyers would not be forced to obtain it from “THE DEALER” who all too often also has other drugs to offer.

While using stronger drugs such a cocaine is a personal choice the exposure to these other drugs will not be an issue for the typical marijuana user when they can walk into a legal storefront to make a purchase .
Bruce

Having worked in chemical dependancy since the mid eighties I’ve seen that cannabis is not illegal because it dangerous but rather the other way around. People have been sold a bill of faulty goods since prohibition began. To call this plant “marihuana” was one of the racist ways the government (and finacial powers that were) attempted to sway public perception. I’d simply refer you to Dr. Lester Grinspoon for details regarding this pharmaceutical fiasco.

The best anti-propaganda film I’ve seen is “The Union, the Business Behind Getting High”, Google it, it’s available on YouTube and Google Video as well as on Netflix. Funny, informative and heartbreaking.

There are too many well meaning individuals fighting legalization, when in reality we should be repealing prohibition.
Craig

For all the people on here posting false facts that they remember form their high school health class please refer to: http://www.mnnorml.org/mnnorml/general/myths
Peter

“Small amount”? No, you should be able to buy/grow what you want.

If you’re a Democrat you should be against prohibition due to its genesis as a law against minorities.

If you’re a Republican you should be against prohibition due to personal liberties.

If you have have a working brain stem you should be against prohibition due to the fact it’s an utterly ridiculous concept.
Dana M Arvidson

Well yes they should!

I have a dear, dear, dear friend who lives there that has Leukemia..She had to endure Radiation and Chemo. However, if she had been given the legal choice, she would have chosen Cannabis..One of the chemo. drugs nearly killed her…

Then one must consider Cannabis in comparison to Alcohol and Tobacco, both of which are legal, and both can be lethal, but not Cannabis.

Then one must also consider that while our farmers are loosing their lands we pay Canada, Russia and other countries to import hemp. It is not wiser to grow it here and keep those dollars within our economy?

Cannabis is a renewable and sustainable crop, with one acre of Cannabis producing as much as 4.1 times the fiber of wood, which is not sustainable.

So, you must consider Cannabis for what it truly is, an invaluable asset that helps local and indeed country wide economies, has over 500 industrial uses, is sustainable and can be used medicinally, as well as being the highest protein food in the world, and can be used for fuel.

Therefore, it is insane not to use this plant to it’s fullest capabilities.

Dana M. Arvidson

Moms for Marijuana Director of Fundraising

Founder of Medical Marijuana for Tennesseans

Legalize Cannabis International USA TN Officer

Overgrow the Government Board Member
Jon E

Cannabis most certainly should be available to any adult to buy or grow. It is a safer alternative to alcohol, a proven medicine, and will bring needed revenue to Minnesota.

I think Minnesota will unfortunately see medicinal marijuana legalized before the plant is outright legal. This may be seen as a good thing by the means of getting medicine to sick patients, establishing point of sale stores and state regulation experience, but it really is a bad thing being that police will still be using time and tax money to find, investigate, and incarcerate non-medical users of a near-harmless/beneficial $ubstance.
Tim

I know of people that have been told at the Mayo to try marijuana for chronic pain and for cancer. They were “referred” to marijuana by world renowned Mayo Clinic, not some free clinic on the corner. Where would you want to go for medical advice, the Mayo or the State Capital? Let the people use something that has very limited side effects if they choose without them being a criminal. I had a friend that had chronic pain that was on a pain medication cocktail that made her extremely suicidal. A doctor at Mayo asked if she ever tried marijuana for pain relief. After months of only using prescribed medications one day she broke down crying and asked to try marijuana. After some coughing and some giggles she started crying saying that was the first time she was pain free that she could remembed. You could have no idea the peace we had for a few weeks until she was afraid she would get in trouble and quit. It was all down hill after that. Please please make this a choice for the people, not a law agenst the hurting.
Bill

Mike Parent posted that Pot being addictive is ” lie #2 “, yet there are posters in this column stating they have used it daily for 12 years/14 years? I have some friends that have used it daily for over 25 years now, and believe me that they “are” addicted to it, has caused them issues with family life, and financial as well.

That said, I see a similar scenario with legal tobacco, cigarettes. But this debate isn’t about making legal things illegal just because they’re bad for you [nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, trans-fats, etc], it’s about legalizing a drug that impedes your judgement and reaction time with one little hit, yet isn’t easily recognizable like alcohol can be. I’m torn on this issue, but no one thing for sure, I don’t want the doctors and nurses in the operating room to be even a little bit high when they are working on someone, or the jury deliberating on a case to make an appeased decision because they are jonesing for a hit.

We have made cigarettes into something only “dirty people” do by banning them in pretty much any area but your own basement as long as your windows are closed tight, and yet 30 years ago you could smoke ANYWHERE. If we legalize pot, what do you think the restrictions will be with that? My prediction is that 30 years from now, both pot AND cigarettes will be illegal, just because of public opinion.

Medicinal? Yes. But we all know that is a severely abused area as well.
Roger Rusack

In my own expereience from forty years ago, the worst thing about smoking pot is that it leads to cigarette smoking.
Rhea Graham

Go smokeless! Capsules, tinctures, topical salves and ointments, liniment, nut butters, clarified butter, organic coconut oil, cooking oil, and more. http://www.cannakitchenandresearch.com/

The gateway drugs are cigarettes and alcohol – they just happen to be legal. Ask ANYONE who has smoked cannabis what they tried first, and they will tell you they tried at least one of the two. 100%.
Paul – Duluth, MN

I am actually completely disgusted by how this poll is fairing. Over 90% yes?!? This just shows the sad state of our population.

No, marijuana is a narcotic and SHOULD NOT be made legal. It DOES have adverse affects from use that affect judgement, motor skills, and comprehension. Comparing marijuana to cigarettes and alcohol is accurate- which is why the latter should ALSO be banned. The general population is incapable of restraint and moderation. They should not even be allowed access to ANYTHING that causes harm to themselves or other people. It is too often that people just cannot control themselves and they do need to be led by the hand in order to keep from doing something wrong. Drug and alcohol use should be prohibited- period. They are a detriment to the common good and health of the population.

I have spent my entire life never consuming an alcoholic beverage, using any narcotic drug or even smoking a single cigarette. Not once did I ever feel like I needed to use something to feel “better” or to fit in. External stimulants are not needed to enjoy life. The negative effects of all of these things greatly outweigh any argument towards positive effects. Basically, people just need to grow up! If you need to smoke or drink or consume ANY narcotic to feel “good”, then you have bigger problems that need to be addressed, and they cannot be fixed by using and abusing. People always say that it’s a shame when children smoke, drink, or do drugs. These same people should be the ones to set an example by NOT smoking, drinking, or doing drugs.

This is a tired argument, and the only reason that it persists is because too many people are ignorant and selfish. Everyone should strive to leave a long, healthy. Just imagine how much better this world would be if everyone were healthy and coherent. Unfortunately, we have a really long way to get to this point. It will never happen- people are weak and have no will power. It’s just sad.
Mike Parent

Paul, there’s a reason you’re in the minority. You’re bucking human nature. This prohibition allows criminals to have total control of distribution. Regulation and legalization is the only common sense way to deal with the issue. What you see now is the result of the Prohibition, not the substance. Continued Prohibition will yield more of what we have now!
Mike Parent

Bill, I posted the Findings of Dr Henningfield, a former NIDA Staffer, who conducted a Scientific Study on the subject. Habitual and addicted are not the same. And why would professionals i.e. Drs suddenly become irresponsible? I wouldn’t want a Dr performing surgery on me if he/she just had an argument with their significant other, either
Bob

If I drink alcohol and I am impaired I do not have the judgement to know that I am impaired and that I shouldn’t drive.

When I vaporize (no smoke please) I know my level of impairment and will not drive. I have slept on friend’s floors rather than drive. I’ve been “using” cannabis since 1969 and have had no problems.

There will always be people that have problems with substances. Don’t punish everyone else for the problems of a few.
Steve Burgett

Let’s tell Them that We are good people and that Cannabis is a good plant.Free the good people FREE THE CANNABIS PLANT !!! PEACE
Realistic Guy

I have a BS in Business Mgmt, I have my own small business, I work for a private college, I have never been arrested or even had a moving violation. I vote, I contribute to society, and pay taxes. I am in my middle thirties and this is just one version of a ganja user in today’s world. Not some out-of-your mind hippie or whatever image society has created. Lets be realistic and take the tax revenue that would generated for our schools and roads, instead of paying it out to dealers and their suppliers. People will still be out looking for this product, why not take advantage of the billions of dollars spent behind closed doors. Let me live my life quietly and not be singled-out for ganja use or belief that its a great plant. Once the baby-boomers fade-out, this issue will be a non-issue. Society is shifting on social issues and it is unfortunate its due to attrition and not logical thought.
Norry

Lets be honest. Yes pot is physically addicting. But it takes possibly decades for this to happen. Here’s my story: I started smoking pot when I was very young. But before that I always thought about it. It was available anywhere and everywhere I looked. I wanted to try it for my self because more people said good things about it than bad things. I heard it all. From it being a gateway drug to it will make you hallucinate flowers on a stovetop burner. And honestly, it made me laugh that someone would actually see a flower where fire would be and someone was stupid enough to try to pick it. For crying out loud. And it was the govt that was trying to get the general population to believe that. Now I’m 54 years old. I stopped smoking pot about 9 years ago. I smoked every day until then. In real time I smoked for over 3 decades. Smoking that long I can tell you all the benefits I had doing it. I was always in a good mood. And realizing at a very young age a mood is a feeling that anyone can control if only they tried. Bad moods and feelings are in your head and you can change your mood by just getting a handle on what you feel. Mind over matter. But also I found dealing with flus like colds and diarea were minimal smoking pot. And I didn’t see my self buying medicines others would at the stores when they had flus. So years passed and I found myself in a possision I had to quit. So when I did I went thru a few days of not having much of an apatite. So I didn’t eat much but I also gained weight. And after a few days I was fine. I live a normal life and I don’t think I ever was impaired at work actually working as a machinist. Other people I worked by lost their digits and hands and even someone I knew lost her hair as a lathe one day scalped her from her not paying attention where her ponytail was hanging. But I can honestly say I still have all my fingers hands and anything else others may have lost operating the same machines I did. So there ya are, there it is. I think many exaggerate the effects of pot. And I’m pretty sure we know why they think they need to scare the general public into believing the most rediculous stories we have all encountered over the decades of propaganda to make this the devils weed and satin will own all our souls if we even come within 50 feet of it. I think our biggest problems are formulated from big business that will lose their profits if we ever stop prohibition on pot. And they will try anything to stop the legalization of it. But this is only one persons opinion. But after 34 years in some people’s eyes may even make my opinion better than someone who hasn’t tried pot at all. But anyone who has and admits it would be closer to the truth than say someone who said they tried it but didn’t inhale. And that goes to prove that I never lost my memory because of pot. Lmao..
Paul – Duluth, MN

Norry’s long personal story is a good example of why people shouldn’t use drugs. Whether you try it once or use it every day, it is still the wrong thing to do. Without more information, it is difficult to tell if the gramatical errors in the above post are due to drug use or a lack of education.

You cannot justify marijuana use at all. It is a narcotic. I am appalled that Washington state legalized it’s use. It is just disgraceful how many people think this is okay. I am saddened that a growing number of the population is becoming increasingly stupid.

94% Yes in this poll? It almost makes me want to cancel my sustaining membership to MPR- knowing that so many listeners are pot heads. Grrrrrr….. grow up, people!
Ed Wildman

The hardest part of having an intelligent discussion about cannabis (marijuana) is that so many opponents insist on confusing outdated myths with facts, and insist that society’s rules and laws should be based on their narrow moral codes, religious or otherwise. The various posts from Paul, above are a good example.

“You cannot justify marijuana use at all. It is a narcotic.” This implies that narcotic use can’t be justified in any situation. Morphine and many other narcotics are regularly prescribed by doctors. Should that be made illegal also?

“Marijuana is a narcotic” No, its not. Check the dictionary, Ask a doctor. Morphine and heroin and many legally prescribed drugs are narcotics, which means they have a specific set of effects on the body and mind, including the ability to kill you with an overdose. . Cannabis is not an narcotic and can’t kill you.

For years law enforcement has used the word “narcotics” to describe any illegal drugs, including speed and meth. That’s about as meaningful as calling an airplane a car because it has wheels. If you are going to call something a narcotic, use the word in a meaningful way and make sure it really is one.

“Cannabis is addictive.” No, again, its not. Addiction means it produces physical dependence and physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. Yes, some people become dependent on it, but some people become dependent on running, sex, and reading good books. Some regular smokers have some minor physical symptoms if they stop smoking, but they are no worse than someone who quits a regular coffee habit.

“I have spent my entire life never consuming an alcoholic beverage, using any narcotic drug or even smoking a single cigarette. Not once did I ever feel like I needed to use something to feel “better” or to fit in. External stimulants are not needed to enjoy life.”

That’s very nice for you, but as others have pointed out, you are a very small minority of the human race. Why do you feel you are in a position to dictate to others how they should behave? Your opinion about drug use seems a bit like a blind man’s judgement of who was the best 20th Century painter.

“The general population is incapable of restraint and moderation. They should not even be allowed access to ANYTHING that causes harm to themselves or other people.”

I think I remember reading that years ago. In Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” Frightening, truly frightening…

I think I’ve made my point.