MN NORML 2014 Voter Guide

Vote for cannabis freedom Tuesday November 4th in Minnesota

The 2014 Minnesota NORML Voter Guide illustrates the shades of gray in Minnesota’s political scene. This year, a contentious legislative session at the Capitol produced a surprisingly restrictive medical cannabis law, revealing that a Democratically-controlled state government would not easily let tens of thousands of suffering Minnesotans safely obtain medicine, let alone use cannabis for personal reasons; nor would an industrial hemp program or a medical necessity legal defense get traction.

On November 4th, voters can select among many statewide candidates supporting full legalization, sending a clear message to the prohibitionist political establishment that their aggression will not stand.

In the depths of Capitol meeting rooms last winter, two different visions for medical cannabis competed in DFL-controlled chambers. The Senate offered to cover more medical conditions and permit more growers, while the House leadership (specifically House Speaker Paul Thissen and his deputy, Rep. Erin Murphy) forced Democratic members to abide by Gov. Mark Dayton’s vision of access limited to roughly 5,000 patients and two growers.

When the House voted on the less restrictive version of the bill, which had already passed the Senate by a veto-proof majority (48-18), 97 representatives voted against wider access offered in Rep. Pat Garofalo’s amendment. Of the 23 representatives who voted for the Garofalo amendment with good intentions, eight Republicans and fifteen DFLers supported wider access to cannabis for sick and dying Minnesotans. Ultimately the House bill mostly prevailed, with bizarre restrictions including forbidding treatment by smoking.

Before the state conventions, MN NORML members fought at caucuses to get cannabis legalization recognized in party platforms. At the DFL convention, a suspiciously close 59.5% of DFL delegates voting for full legalization, just shy of the 60% threshold. It’s hard to say with certainty but it’s estimated roughly 1/3rd of Republicans support some kind of legalization for personal use, including several GOP candidates featured in our voter guide.

The Independence Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party and Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party are all fielding statewide candidates on platforms supporting full legalization, and we strongly encourage MN NORML members to consider voting for them.

Locally, we strongly urge you to consider supporting candidates you partially agree with, while holding them accountable every step of the way. One worth considering: in 66A Alice Hausman is locked in a very tight race and openly supports full legalization. If she loses, that will be a major setback for our efforts to end the socially destructive institution of prohibition in Minnesota.

Finally, please check the Political Affiliations of Minnesota Judges. Most people do not know anything about the judges in their area. This link to a PDF has information about judges that may appear on your ballot.

If you have additional info or corrections, please send them to [email protected] . We will do our best to provide late-breaking updates over social media via mnnorml.org, facebook.com/mnnorml & twitter.com/mnnorml .

In solidarity & working for freedom,
-MN NORML Staff

• Please look up your district and polling place address or ZIP code right here, then look below for cannabis voter analysis.