Amending state Constitution can be bad medicine

Please, not another constitutional amendment.

Some advocates of medical marijuana apparently want to try to change the Minnesota Constitution rather than continue the fight in the Legislature.

Sen. Steve Murphy of Red Wing led a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers that passed a narrowly defined medical marijuana bill this session. Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed it, which was his right. Lawmakers who support legalizing marijuana for pain management in limited cases can try again if they wish.

Citizens should never amend the Constitution without careful, deliberate purpose. We stand firm in our view: That purpose should be to protect and ensure rights, not to circumvent the legislative process.

Minnesota started down a slippery slope a few years ago. In 2006, citizens tied up transportation funds using the Constitution. In 2008, voters raise the sales tax to fund clean water, outdoors and arts projects.

We mustn't misuse the Constitution for any more issues that clearly are legislative matters. Medical marijuana is no exception.

Tags: opinion, editorials, constitution