Pubdate: Tue, 06 Mar 2007 Source: Daily Journal, The (MN) Copyright: 2007 Fergus Falls Newspapers Inc Contact: http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2568 Author: John Holley DRUG LEGALIZATION WAS CANDIDATE'S UNDOING, WITH JUST CAUSE I believe the marijuana legalization question took a predictable turn when 3rd District Democratic candidate Wendy Wilde took a thumping at the polls Nov. 7, 2006, from incumbent Rep. James Ramstad. Watching their TV debate on "At Issue," it was clear that her pro-legalization position would either elect her or sink her congressional campaign. To his credit, Rep. Ramstad made the connection between marijuana being a gateway drug and the Minnesota meth epidemic. The Wilde campaign was finished as a result. South Dakota, Colorado and Nevada all rejected legalization Nov. 7. If our representatives still believe there's a national trend to legalize any drugs, they need to realize details of the meth problem take up space in most regional newspapers -- almost weekly. Will our state legislature bypass the voters on this issue? We hope not. John Holley - Ironton - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom