Marijuana Policy Project

Title: 

City Council to consider disenfranchising you

Message: 

Despite the massive outpouring of public support for the medical marijuana initiative—as shown by the nearly 12,000 residents who signed petitions for it—the Minneapolis Charter Commission has formally recommended that the Minneapolis City Council block the initiative from getting onto the ballot. The Charter Commission is basing this decision on false claims about the amendment.

The Charter Commission claims that the amendment "violates Minnesota law … which prohibits the distribution of controlled substances, including marijuana."

Fact: The amendment requires the city to act "to the extent permitted by state and federal law." It does not ask the city to violate any laws.

The Charter Commission also claims that the amendment "is an attempt to bypass the Council … ."

Fact: The initiative's proponents have followed the proper channels and have acted according to the correct process for proposing an amendment to the city charter.

Additionally, the Charter Commission claims that the amendment "is forbidden under the Minnesota Constitution" because it is "contrary to public policy of Minnesota."

Fact: This is simply not true. The initiative, if passed, would go into effect only when public policy allows it to fully do so.

The Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the City Council will be meeting on Tuesday to discuss the initiative and the Charter Commission's recommendation.

There are two things you can do to stand up for your right to vote.

1. Please call your City Council member (at the appropriate number listed near the bottom of this e-mail) and urge him or her to let the initiative onto the ballot. When you do, leave the following brief message:

   "12,000 Minneapolis residents signed the medical marijuana ballot initiative petition. As your constituent, I am urging you to allow us to vote on it."

2. Attend Tuesday morning's committee meeting to show your support for the voice of Minneapolis residents. Call Jason Samuels at (612) 872-0040 for details.
   
   The City Council members and their numbers are listed below.

Paul Ostrow (Ward 1): (612) 673-2201                
Paul Zerby (Ward 2): (612) 673-2202        
Donald Samuels (Ward 3): (612) 673-2203      
Barbara Johnson (Ward 4): (612) 673-2204 
Natalie Johnson Lee (Ward 5): (612) 673-2205  
Dean Zimmermann (Ward 6): (612) 673-2206          
Lisa Goodman (Ward 7): (612) 673-2207        
Robert Lilligren (Ward 8): (612) 673-2208               
Gary Schiff (Ward 9): (612) 673-2209          
Dan Niziolek (Ward 10): (612) 673-2210          
Scott Benson (Ward 11): (612) 673-2211    
Sandy Colvin Roy (Ward 12): (612) 673-2212             
Barret Lane (Ward 13): (612) 673-2213 

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this information on so that even more voices for reform can be heard.