James Backstrom's E-mail to Minnesota House
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| To: | Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives |
| From: | James C. Backstrom, President of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association & Dakota County Attorney; |
| Robert Bushman, President of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association; | |
| Harlan Johnson, Executive Director, Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association; | |
| Jim Franklin, Executive Director, Minnesota Sheriffs Association; and | |
| Jeff Baker, President of the Minnesota State Association of Narcotics Investigators | |
| Date: | May 1, 2008 |
We want you all to know that we are outraged with the false rhetoric and accusations being made by the Marijuana Policy Project as they continue their efforts to pass the so-called "medical" marijuana bill in our state. To disagree and offer opposing viewpoints is one thing - to accuse law enforcement leaders in Minnesota of "inaccuracies, exaggerations, and outright lies" with the "single objective: to further marginalize and dismiss the sick and dying patients of Minnesota by duping legislators and the governor" is quite another. (See MPP's Policy Project Alert for Minn., dated April 29, 2008 which can be accessed at the following link:
This project alert is inflammatory, slanderous and extremely offensive. This latest tactic shows just how low the supporters of this ill-advised proposal will stoop in their efforts to secure its passage. As you consider this important vote, please read the document which can be accessed at the following link (this is a point-by-point summary of the many concerns of Minnesota's law enforcement community to this legislative proposal):
We stand behind the accuracy of these comments and strongly urge you to review all of the true facts behind this issue before you cast your vote.>
Recent letters from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (Dated: April 24, 2008 and previously distributed to all Minnesota legislators) and Dr. Gavin Burt, on behalf of the Minnesota Society of Addiction Medicine (undated, but sent via email on April 29,2008 to Rep. Paul Thissen, Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee) support the significant and legitimate concerns of law enforcement regarding this issue. A copy of these documents can be accessed at the following links:
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/NR/rdonlyres/0000208c/bplljgkuxsownkpcnuvgfjstlf
bxshae/MNDeptofHumanServicesLettertoMNLegislatorsConcerningMedMarijuana42408.pdf
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/NR/rdonlyres/0000208d/pugoqkrolihomeupemhdyfgvekyrrgir/MNSocietyofAddictionMedicine.pdf
Our concerns about what could easily happen in Minnesota if this legislation is enacted (i.e., increased illegal use of marijuana by non-"patients" and increased illegal trafficking of marijuana which will follow this so-called "medical" use of marijuana) are also substantiated by a recent article in Rolling Stone magazine entitled "The Great California Weed Rush" (Feb. 22, 2007) and a transcript of a 60 Minutes program that aired on 12-30-07, which can be accessed at the following links:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/13390669/the_great_california_weed_rush
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/NR/rdonlyres/0000208f/grqrkqptqzzvbgfhcjssvygwgsgrdatv/60MinutesStory.pdf
You should keep in mind who is really behind the "medical" marijuana movement. It is pure fiction to believe that "medical" marijuana laws are the result of grass roots citizen support groups and efforts. The Marijuana Policy Project, whose true goal is to de-criminalize marijuana, is the primary group behind this movement - check out their website if you are interested in their goals and tactics (http://www.mpp.org/> ). As indicated as far back as 1996 by Thomas A. Constantine, then DEA Administrator, in testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, this movement is financed and supported by billionaires and multi-millionaires such as George Soros, and the Drug Policy Alliance with which he is affiliated, and other pro-legalization groups and donors. (You can sign up, for example, to attend Hugh Hefner's next MPP Playboy Party to be held on June 12, 2008 on MPP's website). In every state where this ill-advised law has been enacted, as is currently occurring here in Minnesota, proponents have waged sophisticated, well financed and misleading campaigns intended to convince legislators and the public that this law is needed to provide compassionate pain relief to the seriously ill and dying. In reality, proponents are cynically using the suffering and illness of vulnerable persons to further their own agenda of legalizing a dangerous and addictive drug (as is clearly evidenced by the existence of ample and safe, i.e., FDA approved, medications that already exist to treat the ailments for which "medical" marijuana is claimed to be needed).
PLEASE REVIEW THE MATERIAL IN THIS EMAIL (INCLUDING THE DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE BY THE ABOVE LINKS) BEFORE YOU VOTE ON THIS LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL.
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, the Minnesota Sheriffs Association, the Minnesota County Attorneys Association and the Minnesota State Association of Narcotics Investigators all urge you to vote "NO" on this ill-conceived proposal which will adversely impact the safety and protection of Minnesota's residents.