Group of DFLers say 'it’s time’ for legal marijuana

Calling it a “starting point,” four DFL lawmakers on Thursday announced they would lead a push to legalize marijuana in Minnesota.

Rep. Jason Metsa (DFL-Virginia), Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester), Rep. Jon Applebaum (DFL-Minnetonka) and Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St.  Paul) outlined their joint proposals — both a constitutional amendment and a statutory change — that they say have growing support throughout the state. Bills have yet to be formally introduced.

“This is a conversation starter,” Metsa said. “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’s bill would give voters a chance to weigh in by making it a constitutional amendment to allow the personal use, possession and purchase of marijuana for Minnesotans age 21 and older. Liebling is also proposing legislation that would let voters decide on Election Day.

Current law, both state and federal, bans the use and possession of marijuana. However, the state does have a highly regulated medical marijuana program.

But DFLers might just be blowing smoke. Republicans hold majorities in both chambers and Gov. Mark Dayton said publicly he doesn’t support marijuana legalization. A constitutional amendment wouldn’t need Dayton’s stamp of approval, but it would have to make its way through the GOP-controlled House and Senate.

Applebaum said his bill would lead to a “billion dollar opportunity” for the state “to create a ‘Made in Minnesota’ economy.” Banking on farmers and consumers, and their regulated and taxed products and purchase she believes it’s time for Minnesota to join the likes of Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

“Marijuana use has been happening for a very long time,” Applebaum said. “Anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of Minnesotans use it regularly, so we should capitalize on it and make sure that it’s safe, and it can add some much-needed tax revenue for our state so we can fund some truly important things like public schools and give Minnesota families property tax relief.”

Applebaum claims his email inbox and phone have been flooded with people adding support for the proposal after media outlets reported it Wednesday.

He, Liebling and Metsa all admitted to previous marijuana use, but all three said they no longer consume it. Hausman said she doesn’t “smoke anything.”

“Frankly, I have no personal interest in it at all,” Liebling said. “But it’s not about me. It’s about the many, many Minnesotans who do have an interest in personal use.”

Liebling added later, “Let’s just be real. People are using marijuana. This is not about ‘are people going to use it or not.’ They are using it. The problem is they’re buying it on the black market where they don’t know if it’s contaminated or not. Buying it is putting them into contact with the criminal element — because that’s how you buy it — and they don’t know the strength of what they’re buying.”