The weekend after the Senate approved a bill to legalize recreational cannabis, a couple of constituents approached me to ask me about my ‘no’ vote on the bill. It wasn’t the first time I have been asked about this issue – polling shows a majority of Minnesotans support legalizing cannabis, so folks have been interested in learning more about my position. The simple truth is that governing is far, far more complicated than polling. As a legislator, I have a responsibility to vote based on the specific details of each bill, not merely on the popularity of the high-level idea.
I voted no on the legal cannabis bill that Senate Democrats wrote because despite being a 300+ page monstrosity of regulations, rules, fees, and bureaucracy, the bill still falls woefully short in several key areas. It will put our communities and young people at risk.
Protecting our children is a priority, but this bill does not have strong enough guardrails to protect them from the harmful effects of legalized cannabis. Research shows that those who begin using marijuana before age 18 are more likely to develop marijuana use disorder as adults, and states that have legalized marijuana have seen increases in accidental overdoses and exposures among young children, particularly due to edibles that resemble treats.
The bill jeopardizes public safety, because it does not provide adequate resources for roadside tests or clear standards to ensure safe roads. In states like Colorado and Washington, traffic fatalities involving marijuana-impaired drivers have significantly increased after they legalized cannabis. We should not dismiss this very real concern.
The bill restricts the ability of local communities to deny cannabis licenses or regulate the number and location of facilities selling cannabis. Local elected officials should be empowered to make decisions that best fit the needs of their constituents. Furthermore, this bill doesn’t provide the necessary funding for local law enforcement training or resources to handle the increased calls and complaints related to cannabis use.
In states where recreational marijuana has been legalized, there have been increases in overdoses and addiction. This bill does not provide sufficient support to prevent substance abuse or assist with addiction treatment. In fact, the standards in this bill create an environment where overdoses are more likely – especially accidental ones. I believe in personal freedom, but we have to recognize this reality.
It is highly likely that even larger tax increases will be coming our way in the near future. The projected tax revenue will not be nearly enough to cover increased substance use disorder treatment, local law enforcement needs, and more.
I respect the views of folks on both sides of the issue. Perhaps these concerns do not impact you specifically. Perhaps you are comfortable with the risks. I respect that too. But my job as a legislator is to weigh what is best for the state overall, and the bill that Senate Democrats created was a poor solution to this complicated issue.