A press conference from a group opposing the legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota erupted into chaos this morning at the State Capitol when pro-legalization people in the crowd began interrupting the speakers…
The group Smart Approaches to Marijuana Minnesota (SAMMn) began the news conference by stating its mission to discuss the research and science of marijuana usage and why corporate cannabis is bad for Minnesotans. Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom was one of today’s speakers and said “make no doubt about it the legalization of marijuana in Minnesota will result in many more traffic deaths and injuries than occur today, is that what we want in our state.” But John Thompson, who was a friend of Philando Castile, the man who had been smoking marijuana when he was shot and killed by an officer during a traffic stop in 2016, questioned Backstrom’s motives and said “you will bring them here to try to tell us that they’re not criminalizing marijuana, when they’re criminalizing us for being black.” Sandy Melville’s son was killed by an impaired driver in 2010 and she opposes legalization. Melville spoke at the news conference and when she was heckled by pro-legalization advocates responded: “if you want to stand up here and talk, I will be respectful of you, please keep your mouth shut.” Pro-legalization advocates are also scheduled to hold a news conference this afternoon.