Pubdate: Thu, 15 May 2014
Source: Saint Cloud Times (MN)
Copyright: 2014 St. Cloud Times
Contact:  http://www.sctimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2559
Author: Vicki Ikeogu

ELECTION DAY PUSHES DAYTON'S CHANGE OF HEART

If medical marijuana bill gets his signature, Dayton will have
contradicted position he's had since last year.

Oh politicians. They never cease to amaze me. How easy it is to sway
their opinions on important issues, particularly when it is an
election year.

With the latest debates raging in the Legislature on legalizing
medicinal marijuana, Gov. Mark Dayton has taken a page from the 2004
John Kerry campaign book. Yes, he's a flip-flopper.

With the legalization of medical marijuana in more than 20 states,
plus the District of Columbia, and the legalization of recreational
marijuana in two states - Colorado and Washington - this plant has
captured the attention of the nation and the state.

Using the illicit drug to treat a variety of neurological illnesses,
especially severe cases of epilepsy in children, pushed the
Legislature into addressing a bill this session. However, medical
research is still inconclusive as to the effectiveness of marijuana to
treat patients.

Enter Dayton.

Originally opposed to the Legislature taking up the issue in February,
Dayton has made a 180-degree change on his position. Stating last year
and early this year he would not support a bill unless law enforcement
supported it, Dayton's stance on this bill waffled in March.

After a disastrous meeting with parents advocating the passage of
medical marijuana for their kids, Dayton had almost an immediate
change of heart.

It didn't help these people sought media attention first. Jessica
Hauser, one of the more active voices among Minnesota residents
pushing for legalization, took to the media after a private meeting
with Dayton in mid-March.

She was quoted as saying: "So I explained to (the governor) how my son
and others like him would benefit from safe and legal access to
medical marijuana. I told him in great detail our story and our
struggles. My optimism quickly turned to dismay when, after hearing my
son's story, the governor actually suggested I should just find
medical marijuana for my son off the street."

Dayton, like most politicians in an election year, responded quickly
by saying his words were misinterpreted. He vowed to work to reach a
compromise that would benefit the children.

Essentially throwing away all of his original apprehensions to the
bill, including his main point about approval of law enforcement,
Dayton became one of the bigger supporters for the bill. When the
House passed a bill earlier this month, Dayton indicated he could sign
that bill, but not the version in the Senate. Legislators were working
toward a compromise Wednesday.

So what actually changed Dayton's mind? How can he go from outright
refusal to sudden, complete change of heart?

Enter public opinion.

As most people know, 2014 is an election year for Dayton. To secure
another term, that probably would mean trying to be portrayed in a
positive light.

With comments from parent advocates of medical marijuana and what can
only be described as his huge misstep in March, Dayton was forced to
switch his opinion. Lacking the research or a solid plan on dispensing
the product, his reversal can only be described as a saving-face tactic.

If Hauser's words can be taken at face value, Dayton's statement of
seeking drugs illegally off the street does not bode well, legally or
politically.

Seeing mothers of sick kids crying on is hard to watch. What's even
harder is knowing words one said put them there in the first place.
It's a not a great political move to enrage voters, especially when
you are up for re-election.

What concerns me the most with this change is if it was sparked by bad
press or solid research. The media is a powerful tool. But if it is
going to completely change your opinion on an issue to make you more
appealing on Election Day, then I will question your intentions.

This is the opinion of Vicki Ikeogu, a mass communications and social
studies major at St. Cloud State University. Her article is published
the third Thursday of every month.
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MAP posted-by: Matt