Marijuana moment. Surrounded by cheering cannabis advocates, many wearing green, Governor Tim Walz signs a bill legalzing marijuana. At his side was former Governor Jess Ventura, towering at 6-foot 4, who dropped in from retirement in Mexico for the occasion. Ventura: “It’s very wonderful to see a dream of yours over 20 years ago finally happen today, and I’m still alive to see it” Ventura was governor from 1999 to 2003.
Marijuana law updates a “long journey”
ST.PAUL, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz signed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana for people over 21. Walz, long a supporter of loosening marijuana restrictions, said: “This has been a long journey with a lot of folks involved.” The gradual process goes back to Fastenal cofounder Bob Kierlin of Winona, a who broke ranks a Republican state senator from 1999 to 2007 and advocated marijuana to relieve the pain of terminal cancer patients. Kierlin was persuasive with his personal story of his ballerina wife’s death. Republicans, however, declined to support further legalization. Meanwhile, marijuana advocates had created a series of political parties and put their single-issue candidates on ballots. None picked up any traction. In 2022 came a bjg break. The Legislature legalized THC in edible or drinkable form so long as it was derived from the agricultural product hemp. It turned out to be an embarrassing moment for Republicans, who controlled the Legislature. They acknowledged later that they were asleep at the switch and that the bill, backed by Democrats, slipped by. Whatever, low-strength gummies and beverages have been on sale since July. The next major break came a few months later, in the November 2022 elections, when Democrats took control of both houses of the Legislature and Walz, a Democrat, was re-elected as governor. With so-called trifecta control of state government, Democrats passed the new legislation, albeit narrowly. The bill was comprehensive, including details to set up state-controlled distribution and also a taxation structure on sales. The bill comprised 300 pages.
Earlier: How they voted: Marijuana legalization / 3
Earlier: House reaffirms marijuana legalization policy
Earlier: How they voted: Marijuana legalization / 2
Earlier: Agreement reached on marijuana reforms
Earlier: How they voted: Marijuana legalization / 1
Earlier: Marijuana legalization bill passes House
Earlier: Democrats push to OK adults-only marijuana
Earlier: Walz: Let’s legalize marijuana; prohibition a failure
Verbatim
Walz: “We’ve known for too long that prohibiting the use of cannabis hasn’t worked. By legalizing adult-use cannabis, we’re expanding our economy, creating jobs, and regulating the industry to keep Minnesotans safe. Legalizing adult-use cannabis and expunging or resentencing cannabis convictions will strengthen communities. This is the right move for Minnesota.”
Verbatim
Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor: “Legalizing adult-use cannabis is about keeping our communities safe, advancing justice for Minnesotans, and investing in a strong economic future. Prohibiting the use of cannabis hasn’t worked and has disproportionately harmed communities of color across the state. By expunging nonviolent cannabis convictions, we are removing the barriers that prevent thousands of Minnesotans from fully returning to work, to their communities, and to their lives. This is how we make safer communities.”