The "pot" of the story is..........be bold!

“This is a conversation starter. We are all well aware that our colleagues who are chairs … are not interested in having this conversation right now.  But you have to have a starting point.  My constituents have urged me to be bold and take on social issues," said State Rep. Jason Metsa.

What is Iron Range State Representative Jason Metsa referring to?  A new innovative idea in education reform?  An economic development incentive program for the Iron Range?  Nope.  He was referring to pot and the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in the state of Minnesota.  It was just three years ago that Representative Carly Melin lead the initiative to legalize the use of cannabis derivatives for certain medical conditions.  Law enforcement groups, parent organizations, and drug counselors are against it.   Supporters of legalizing marijuana are concerned about the consequences imposed and the incarcerations rates on many because Minnesota prohibits marijuana use.  In the first 10 months of 2016, Colorado marijuana shops reached a significant milestone: $1 billion in legal, regulated cannabis sales. So far in the United States, eight states have legalized recreational use of the drug through a ballot measure. Because the state of Minnesota does not use statewide ballot questions, this would require a constitutional amendment.  

This issue brings up a number of questions to consider:  

• Should legislators even take the time to bring up issues that they know won't move forward in the legislature because they are "representing" their constituents voices?
• How far does representation go?  What if a legislator's constituents overwhelmingly supported an initiative that the legislator him/herself does not support?  Is it their obligation to bring forth the initiative anyways?
• What other social issues on the Iron Range do we need our state legislators to be bold on?
• Representative Jason Metsa represents the city of Virginia.  In Mayor Larry Cuffe's "State of the City" he reported, "Property crimes and illegal drug sales and drug use are some primary offenses that lead offenders to commit more serious crimes."  The crime index value in the city of Virginia is more than double than the state of Minnesota as of 2014.  What does it mean to be the state representative of a city with a crime index value double the state's crime index and lead and author an initiative to legalize marijuana?  What does the data tell us in other states about whether or not there is a  link, if any, to legalization of marijuana and the  increase of the crime index in other cities?
  
• What are the benefits to legalizing recreational use of marijuana?  What can be learned from other states?
  
  

To go on the 2018 ballot, the measure would need to pass the state House and Senate, which would also be tasked with crafting guidelines for commercial regulation, taxation and the permitted amount a person is able to possess.  “Most states which have legalized this product have done so through voter approved referendum, and I think this is the best course of action with many Minnesotans so passionate about this,” Metsa said.

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