EX-POLICE CHIEF BACKS MEDICAL MARIJUANA, SAYS LEGALIZATION COULD CUT
DOWN ON CRIME

He Says Minnesota Could Reduce Crime

Allowing some people to use marijuana for medical purposes won't
prompt a rash of drug crimes. In fact, if states such as Washington
are examples, it could do just the opposite in Minnesota.

At least that's what the former police chief of Seattle suggested to a
Minnesota House committee Tuesday.

Former Chief Norm Stamper noted that overall crime, including
marijuana-related violations, is down significantly in Washington. So,
what would he say if asked how its legalization is faring there?

"My one-word response would be 'well,' '' Stamper said. "My two-word
response would be 'very well.' ''

Stamper endorsed a House bill that would legalize the use of marijuana
for people with chronic and debilitating illnesses. Sponsored by state
Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, the bill passed the Public Safety
Policy and Oversight Committee on a 9-6 vote and was sent to a finance
committee. A similar bill is moving through the state Senate.

Stamper conceded the idea of less crime and legalized medical
marijuana sounds counterintuitive.

"The theory is that we have now made a medicine out of what formerly
was an illicit drug,'' said Stamper, adding, "It has removed the mystique.''

Opposition in Washington state from law-enforcement officials "has
been eliminated or neutralized,'' he added.

But not in Minnesota. At least at the hearing.

Representatives from state and local police organizations, including
Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion, spoke against the bill,
even piling large bags of marijuana on a table to demonstrate how much
they said someone could possess under the proposal.

They argued the bill was misguided, wasn't sufficiently restrictive
and would help feed America's appetite for illegal drugs.

State Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder, who is police chief of Lake
Crystal, even contended Stamper showed too much support for the
medical profession - at the expense of police in the hearing room.

"They're not taking the risks - we are,'' said Cornish, who wore a
bright yellow tie that said, "Police Line, Do Not Cross.''

Saying that wasn't his intent, Stamper said he believes any solution
in Minnesota must include law-enforcement representatives. He
testified that Minnesota's proposal is more restrictive and allows
less marijuana in possession than the guidelines approved by
Washington voters in 1998.

"We have a lot more medical marijuana patients than you can anticipate
here,'' Stamper said.