Karin Housley on Drugs

Legalize limited forms of medical marijuana

Smith: Learn from experience of states that have legalized recreational.

Housley: States should decide. Voted to "legalize limited forms of medical marijuana," but "needs to be more research on marijuana's efficacy."

Focus opioid resources on prevention, treatment, & education

"What we really need to focus our resources on is prevention, treatment and education," Housley said. "I think that would go a long way toward stopping the epidemic across the country."

Citing personal experience with a family member, as well as speaking with constituents across Minnesota, she said it requires a wholesale effort from the state to Congress, educating kids in second grade on the issue all the way up to maintaining the kind of treatment facilities people who are addicted need.

She noted Adult & Teen Challenge as a particularly effective program she would like to see emulated in other areas.