Pot fight on ballot? That’s their plan
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Pioneer Press: Medical marijuana supporters, who finally pushed legislation onto the governor's desk in Minnesota only to see the bill vetoed, are preparing for an even bigger task next year: ensuring the right of the sick and dying to smoke marijuana by writing it into the state's constitution. Bypassing Gov. Tim Pawlenty and putting the question straight to voters is no easy chore. Supporters of last year's Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment spent nearly $4 million to get the measure passed. Yet, medical marijuana backers say they're willing to foot the bill. But the key question for the 2010 election might not be whether voters approve the measure — polls show medical marijuana has consistent support in Minnesota — but how the issue affects other races, including what is expected to be a hard-fought gubernatorial campaign. "There's definitely a second layer any time you think about a constitutional amendment or a ballot question," said Mike Zipko, a political consultant at St. Paul's Goff & Howard. "You could see how someone from a progressive point of view (could use the issue) to push voter turnout even a couple of points."
The issue is by no means assured of landing on next year's ballot; the Legislature has often been reluctant to put questions directly to voters. And once they get there, the campaign, which includes assuring a majority cast ballots in the affirmative (a non-vote counts as a "no") can be expensive.
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