Why the outrage over a natural plant that has healing powers? Where's the anger over alcohol and tobacco? Those drugs are responsible for over 500,000 deaths annually. Cannabis deaths to date equals zero. Medical cannabis exists in 43 states because it provides relief to those with PTSD, fibromyalgia, anxiety, sleep disorders, seizures, appetite stimulation and has been effective with some cancers. Concerns:
• Cannabis a gateway drug; false, it has been proven that tobacco is the actual gateway drug.
• Cannabis and driving; the NHTSA performed multiple studies that have shown no statistical difference in arrest rates of those under the influence of cannabis while driving.
• Teen usage; has actually decreased in 8 of the 10 legal states.
• Black lung disease; no such related condition and inhaling cannabis doesn't cause lung cancer. Non-combustible options exist like edibles, pills or vaping.
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• Strength of today's cannabis; hype from non-consumers. Low grade cannabis would be like a beer, high grade like wine, and more potent forms (wax, oils) comparable to vodka. You consume less with more potency, like alcohol.
• Explosion in usage; won't happen as the market already exists. The growers, importers and consumers are here now and have been for decades.
Opioid addiction rates have gone down in every legal cannabis state-it's a safer alternative, and many have success using it for physical pain. No conservative reps will listen to the latest facts on cannabis and refuse to meet with any legalization groups.
56 percent of Minnesotans favor legalization and 66 percent favor it nationally. Cannabis has zero calories and brings in hundreds of millions in tax revenue. Officers please look up LEAP-Law Enforcement Against Prohibition: A group of cops, judges, prosecutors and citizens teaming up to end the failed, dangerous and expensive war on drugs.
Scott Gutknecht
Merrifield
