Title
Supporting legalization and decriminalization of recreational cannabis in Minnesota and expungement of Minnesotan records of convicted cannabis crimes.
Body
WHEREAS, medical cannabis is legal in 33 states and recreational cannabis is legal in 10 states; and
WHEREAS, in 2014 Minnesota Legislation passed medical cannabis to treat seriously ill Minnesotans; and
WHEREAS, conditions treated by medical cannabis are cancer, HIV/AIDS, ALS, PTSD, autism, opioid addiction, and more; and
WHEREAS, a review of more than 10,000 cannabis studies in 2017 found that patients treated with cannabis and cannabinoids were more likely to feel a reduction in pain symptoms significantly, and evidence suggests that smoking cannabis does not increase risk of cancers often associated with tobacco products, such as lung, heart, and neck cancers; and
WHEREAS, there are 2,895 medical cannabis active patients in Saint Paul and thousands more across the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the medical cannabis program is extremely restrictive, due to an annual fee of $200, and limited access to medical facilities and doctors; and
WHEREAS, recreational cannabis is still illegal in Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, a review of more than 10,000 cannabis study in 2017 found that patients treated with cannabis and cannabinoids were more likely to feel a reduction in pain symptoms significantly, and evidence suggests that smoking cannabis does not increase risk of cancers often associated with tobacco products, such as lung, heart, and neck cancers; and
WHEREAS, possession or sale of less than 42.5 grams of cannabis is a petty misdemeanor with a fine of $200, and possession or sale of 42.5 grams and more is a felony with 5-30 years in jail and fine of $10,000-$1,000,000; and
WHEREAS, a Marist College Institute poll suggests that 52% of Americans, ages 18 and older, have tried recreational cannabis and 44% currently still uses it; and
WHEREAS, a 2010 survey from the Minnesota Department of Human ...
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