ST. PAUL, Minn. – Veterans’ issues were the focus as a bill to legalize recreational marijuana cleared its second committee Tuesday in the Minnesota House.
Jeremy Sankey with Minnesota Veterans for Cannabis told lawmakers it’s a quality of life issue for veterans. He said, “And to those that say, cannabis doesn’t help with PTSD, let me tell you: The number of 22 veterans a day (who commit suicide) would be a lot higher — a lot higher without cannabis.”
But Steve Kalina with Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association warns legalizing recreational marijuana is problematic for the state’s numerous high-tech industries. He said no one would want someone under the influence making a life-saving device or assembling the brake lines of their car.
The bill must still clear a number of committees before a House floor vote. Republicans who control the Minnesota Senate strongly oppose it.
Comments