Northland Rep. Jason Metsa (DFL-Virginia) is one of four state lawmakers that brought forward a bill Thursday to put the future of marijuana legalization in Minnesota in voters’ hands.
It would require a constitutional amendment. If voters passed it, it would essentially legalize weed for recreational use.
However, it wouldn’t be an easy one to pass. The state House and Senate are both controlled by Republicans, and all four representatives supporting it are DFL.
"This is a conversation starter," Rep. Metsa acknowledged. "We are all well aware that our colleagues who are chairs that would give these bills hearings are not interested in having this conversation right now, but you have to have a starting point."
Metsa said his constituents have urged him to be bold and take on social issues.
"Lots of people have got away with (marijuana use), and some, unfortunately, have gotten caught and prosecuted. And it holds them back from things like having a job for the recreational use that they might have done in college, unknowing that this would follow them their whole life," Metsa said.
Metsa and Tina Liebling of Rochester co-authored the bill, and they said it is modeled on some of the language Colorado used for legalization. Metsa announced he had a meeting with experts Thursday to talk about the practical parts of legalizing pot, such as how to enforce driving under the influence.
"We want to get all this input from people all over the state, whether you’re opposed, for, neutral on the issue," he said. "This is a starting point for a conversation."
Medical marijuana became legal in 2015 for certain patients with specific medical conditions.
Law enforcement groups tend to oppose legalizing personal pot use, and Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton said Thursday he opposes it as well.
Eyewitness News ran an unscientific poll promoted on Facebook and Twitter, asking, "Minn. lawmakers are suggesting a bill that would allow voters to decide on a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana. Would you support it?"
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, more than 350 people had weighed in. Eighty-one percent said yes, 17 percent said no, and 2 percent selected no opinion.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Northland Representative Calls For Marijuana Ballot Measure
Author: Baihly Warfield
Contact: WDIO
Photo Credit: Molly Smith
Website: WDIO
