Walz has long been a supporter of legalizing recreational marijuana for adults. Ventura did bring this up, pretty much before any governor in the country did,” Walz said.
Ventura, an independent who doesn’t usually make endorsements, backed Walz over Republican Scott Jensen. Ventura, who supported legalization when he served from 1999-2003, disclosed on his podcast earlier this week that Walz had called him up the day after his reelection and said he now expected it to pass. Twenty-one other states have approved the recreational use of marijuana. But lawmakers are just starting to get organized after the election and the details have yet to be worked out.
The Republican majority that blocked consideration of cannabis in the Senate will be gone when the 2023 Legislature convenes in January, when Democrats will hold the trifecta of controlling both chambers as well as the governor’s office. Jesse Ventura that he thinks it could be one of the first bills he signs in the new year. (AP) - The chances for legalizing recreational marijuana in Minnesota got a huge boost from the Democratic sweep in the state’s elections, and Gov Tim Walz confirmed Friday that he told former Gov. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.ST. Trisha Ahmed is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Ventura, an independent who doesn’t usually make endorsements, backed Walz over Republican Scott Jensen, and said legalization was one of the many reasons why. Ventura said in November that Walz had called him up the day after his reelection and said he expected a new legalization bill to pass. Low-strength gummies and beverages have been on sale since July.įormer Gov. Many lawmakers apparently didn’t realize what they were doing as it sailed through under the radar. Last year, the Legislature passed a bill legalizing THC in edible or drinkable form if it’s derived from hemp. In 2021, the Democratic-controlled House passed a legalization bill with several Republicans voting yes, but the GOP-controlled Senate never gave it a vote. With that power, they passed a long list of legislative priorities - including legalization - that the previous Senate Republican majority had blocked.
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Supporters have largely been Democrats, and opponents have largely been Republicans this session.ĭemocrats took full control of state government when the Legislature convened for its 2023 session, marking the first time in eight years they have held the “trifecta” of the Senate, House and governor’s office. Supporters of the legislation have said it will improve public health and safety and further social justice, while opponents have said health and safety will worsen. It ensures “that we are undoing some of the harm that we have done as a state through the prohibition of cannabis,” she said. Lindsey Port, of Burnsville, said at the ceremony. Others with more serious convictions, such as those with possession offenses that exceeded even the new limits, may also be able to apply for reduced sentences.Įxpunging criminal records of those charged with marijuana-related offenses is one of the most important pieces of the legislation, Democratic Sen. However, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has estimated it will take until August of next year to process all cases. Minnesotans who have been convicted of misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor possession will also get their records automatically expunged.
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Once licensed, stores will charge sales tax plus a 10% cannabis tax. Retail sales at dispensaries will probably be at least a year away.
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