Pubdate: Wed, 14 Feb 2007
Source: Post-Bulletin (Rochester, MN)
Copyright: 2007 Post-Bulletin Company, LLC
Contact:  http://www.postbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1342
Author: Deb Roschen

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS TOO PROBLEMATIC

Kudos to Sen. Steve Murphy for being in touch with the real needs of
District 28! Forget about the education disparity, high taxes, or
roads. Murphy keeps busy authoring a bill to legalize the medical use
of marijuana. Who voted for this guy?

In the bill there is page after page of applicability and
restrictions. Is it safe to assume that Murphy will need to create
more government jobs to monitor the use and sale of "illegal drugs" in
Minnesota?

The bill says users can have 12 plants upon possessing a "registration
card." Gee, is it possible people will make a business pirating these
registration cards? Is it also possible unethical doctors in Minnesota
will misuse the prescription of this illegal drug?

And by the way, are you certain teens will never raid parents'
medicine cabinets and share this miracle drug at school? Does
Minnesota have enough prison space, lawyers, and law enforcement ready
for when legislators endorse illegal drug use?

The best line in the bill states that a registered patient cannot
operate any motor vehicle while under the influence. However, a
registered patient shall not be considered under the influence solely
for having marijuana metabolites in their system. The courts are going
to love interpreting this one!

Deb Roschen

Zumbro Falls