Minnesota Governor to Parents of Sick Children: Go Buy Some Marijuana on the Street

Parents of sick children who could benefit from medical
marijuana have taken the lead in pressuring Minnesota Gov. Mark
Dayton (D) to support legislation legalizing the sale of pot for
medicinal uses.

Lawmakers in Minnesota who support legalizing medical marijuana
believe they have the votes to move the required legislation, but
are worried any bill they pass would be vetoed by the
governor. 

While protesting in front of the governor’s mansion earlier this
month, angry parents and their supporters got an audience with the
man himself.
CBS Minnesota reports: 

At an extremely emotional press conference Wednesday,
the parents called Dayton’s suggestion offensive. Struggling to
hold back tears, the parents accused the governor of using
them as political cover, so that he might to look good while
opposing the medical marijuana bill they sought.

“Please…can you please help us now,” cried mother Maria Botker of
Clinton, Minn.

These parents had picketed outside the governor’s residence
two weeks ago, and were unexpectedly invited inside. There, they
told the governor their stories. They say they were shocked when
the governor suggested they can buy pot illegally on the street, or
in another state, to treat their children.

Dayton didn’t deny telling at least one parent to find marijuana
on the street. He insisted in a statement that he doesn’t support
breaking the law, but that “as a father,” he gets “parents who
would do anything possible to help their children.” As governor, he
should stop threatening desperate parents with jail and other
sanctions.

h/t Pope Jimbo