House Democratic lawmakers on Monday introduced legislation to legalize marijuana in Minnesota, arguing the state should end the black market for the drug and create a tax and regulatory framework
Feb 2, 2021
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota House Democrats launched a push Monday to legalize recreational marijuana and automatically expunge most minor cannabis convictions, framing the issue as crucial to narrow racial disparities in the legal system.
“The issue of legalizing cannabis, creating a fair, regulated marketplace, addressing the deep inequities in our criminal justice system, is a mainstream, bipartisan, broadly supported issue,” Democratic House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, of Golden Valley, said at a news conference.
Fifteen other states plus the District of Columbia have already legalized recreational marijuana for adults to varying degrees, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, They include neighboring South Dakota, a heavily Republican state where it passed with 54% of the vote in November, although it still faces a court challenge there. Minnesota is one of many states that allow medical marijuana, but its restrictions are some of the c
Here s what s in the DFL s recreational marijuana legalization bill
Democrats reintroduced the legislation on Monday.
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Democrats in Minnesota again introduced a bill Monday that would legalize recreational marijuana.
Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, and other DFLers reintroduced a proposal to legalize cannabis for recreational use, which they say would help address criminal justice inequities and let police focus on more serious issues. (They introduced similar legislation in May 2020.)
“The failed criminalization of cannabis has resulted in a legacy of racial injustice that can no longer go unaddressed,” Winkler, the bill s chief sponsor, said in a statement Monday. “Adults deserve the freedom to decide whether to use cannabis, and our state government should play an important role in addressing legitimate concerns around youth access, public health, and road safety. Veterans and Minnesotans with serious illnesses like PTSD deserve
Minnesota House Democrats launch push to legalize marijuana
By STEVE KARNOWSKIFebruary 1, 2021 GMT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota House Democrats launched a push Monday to legalize recreational marijuana and automatically expunge most minor cannabis convictions, framing the issue as crucial to narrow racial disparities in the legal system.
“The issue of legalizing cannabis, creating a fair, regulated marketplace, addressing the deep inequities in our criminal justice system, is a mainstream, bipartisan, broadly supported issue,” Democratic House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, of Golden Valley, said at a news conference.
Fifteen other states plus the District of Columbia have already legalized recreational marijuana for adults to varying degrees, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, They include neighboring South Dakota, a heavily Republican state where it passed with 54% of the vote in November, although it still faces a court challenge there. Minnesota is
League of Women Voters calls on Minnesota state leaders to condemn election lies
The typically apolitical League of Women Voters a nonpartisan voting group called on Minnesota s top lawmakers to condemn dangerous lies told about election fraud and violent political rhetoric. Written By: Sarah Mearhoff | ×
Minnesota State Patrol troopers stand on the steps of the Minnesota Capitol ahead of a worship service organized by Hold The Line Minnesota Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in St. Paul. (Joe Ahlquist / jahlquist@postbulletin.com)
ST. PAUL The League of Women Voters of Minnesota has ventured from its typically apolitical tone and written a letter to bipartisan state leaders calling on them to hold accountable legislators who perpetuated lies about the security and fairness of the 2020 general election for political reasons.