By Michelle Lee
Nearly a century ago, California passed the first state law criminalizing marijuana.
Other states followed and the battle to wipe out what some called "loco weed," continues to overload our jails and tax the resources of our courts and law enforcement.
Old black and white news reels from the 1950’s, told a generation of kids “Marijuana smoking can make a helpless addict of its victims in weeks, causing physical and moral ruin and death.”
History tells us marijuana is one of the oldest psychoactive plants known to mankind.
Early campaigns against its use warned those who were tempted to take that first puff from a marijuana cigarette. Don't do it.
Despite a century long campaign on its perceived dangers, millions of Americans have failed to heed the warnings, using pot for medicine or pleasure.
Past smokers include at least one man who became president. During his Presidential Campaign Barack Obama told reporters he inhaled, saying that was the idea.
Youthful experimentation aside growing, trafficking in, or smoking marijuana is still against the law in a majority of states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Depending on the weight of the pot confiscated it could earn you a felony.
Nearly 848 thousand people were arrested on marijuana violations in the United States in 2008 accounting for nearly half of all drug arrests.
A vast majority were arrested for possession. According to Duluth police Sergeant, Chad Nagorski the people they’ve dealt with that have smoked marijuana have been all ages, both sexes and all races.
Growing, transporting and dealing, in this Schedule One narcotic and others illegal drugs, can be extremely profitable, but dangerous ventures.
Sergeant Andy Mickus with the Lake Superior Drug and Gang Taskforce says there is a nexus between the narcotics coming into Duluth and lot of the city’s violent crimes including home invasion, robberies, violent assaults and homicides.
Enforcing current Marijuana Laws takes time and resources.
Each year the Minnesota Highway patrol seizes thousands of pounds of pot transported into the state.
Elaborate Northland marijuana growing operations continue to be uncovered.
The National Non–Profit Organization, Marijuana Policy Project says its time to tax and regulate pot.
The organization’s Campaigns Analyst, Heather Azzi says her group would like to see the profits from the sale of marijuana not end up in hands of drug cartels and people who are participating in the illegal drug market.
But the Minnesota Chiefs of Police and their officers argue legalizing any form of Marijuana would create an enforcement nightmare; starting with the basics of highway safety.
Sergeant Chad Nagorski says it would be difficult to determine whether someone was too high to drive, saying enforcement would be nearly impossible.
Despite the issues raised by law enforcement a Northland NewsCenter on–line poll indicates a majority of respondents believe marijuana should be legalized for "medical use."
A majority also believe it should be legalized "period."
While not scientific, the poll does reflect a growing national trend.
Azzi’s group says many Americans now recognize marijuana is a far safer substance that the other legally available recreational substances such as alcohol and tobacco.
14 states and the District of Columbia now permit the use of "Medical" Marijuana.
In November, voters in California hope to take it one step farther legalizing pot for state residents 21 years and older.
As with alcohol and tobacco, Marijuana can be an addictive substance for some users.
Minnesota Senator and Psychologist, Yvonne Prettner Solon supports its medical use, but that's where she draws the line.
Drawing on her experience as a chemical dependency councilor Prettner-Solon says in general she believe there probably are some people that can use it socially and can do just fine. But she quickly adds she sees no need to legalize it, quite frankly.
Marijuana: Menace or Medicine?
Ultimately it is up to the states to decide.
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