Rep. Barrett: Marijuana legalization is not the answer
St. Paul – State Representative Bob Barrett, R-Lindstrom, expressed concern about today's bill introduction of House File 1818 that would make medical marijuana legal in Minnesota.
“The legalization of medical marijuana is an extremely misguided attempt to solve a problem better handled with existing medicine, and it will only serve to perpetuate the substantial existing problems in our country related to illicit drug use and abuse, especially among young people,” Rep. Barrett said.
Rep. Barrett noted that in 2011 marijuana was the second most dependent drug used in the United States, with 4.1 million abusers, while there are 16.6 million people who abuse or are dependent on alcohol. Between 2007 and 2011 the number of marijuana users increased from 14.5 million to 18.1 million. (2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health)
“Young people are smoking tobacco less, drinking less and using fewer ‘hard’ drugs, but they are smoking marijuana at an increasing rate,” Rep. Barrett explained. “The societal cost of drug use and abuse is enormous, especially related to our nation’s young people whose brains are not fully developed and are more susceptible to negative consequences. The legalization of medical marijuana in Minnesota would only serve to make this gateway drug more accessible to our younger populations, and consequently perpetuate these societal costs.”
Rep. Barrett continued: “Don’t be misled by those who only communicate the benefits they see in legalization and gloss over or ignore the negative consequences, such as lower life satisfaction, poorer mental and physical health, relationship problems and less academic and career success. One only need look at the many, many national studies that are done every year to see the problems caused by increased drug use and abuse in our country.”
Rep. Barrett is calling on Minnesotans to speak out against the legalization of medical marijuana. “As this issue gets more attention over the next year, please ask proponents of legalization to speak to the societal costs of increased abuse and addiction and ask them who is going to pay for these costs,” he said.
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Rep. Barrett can be reached by phone at (651) 296-5377. He can also be contacted via e-mail at rep.bob.barrett@house.mn, or via U.S. Mail at 287 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155.