The Governor of Minnesota has said that Republican legislators are spreading “misinformation,” about the newly passed marijuana legalization legislation in the state. He believes the policy can be further tweaked with time and will not convene an urgent special meeting as GOP members requested.
Governor Tim Walz (D) was asked about concerns with the cannabis law that a href=”https://www.marijuanamoment.net/minnesota-republicans-are-upset-the governor’s ignoring their marijuana legalization concerns/” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Republicans have laid out in a pair of letters they sent to him and Democratic leadership over the last couple weeks. Tim Walz, a Democrat, was asked to comment on Republicans’ concerns about the cannabis law in two letters they have sent him and Democratic leaders over the past couple of weeks. The lawmakers focused their attention on the rules for marijuana possession by minors.
“My feelings about this are very strong. “First of all, those spreading misinformation about the cannabis bill need to stop,” said the governor. “Cannabis wasn’t legal for minors prior to the law change.” It’s illegal now.
Start the video at 27:09 to watch the Governor discuss the marijuana legalization bill.
One reporter noted that the sponsors intended to remove criminal penalties from youth possession. However, the law itself still remained in place, and people under 21 years old could theoretically be charged as a default misdemeanor for possessing marijuana illegally.
Walz stated that “it did not get into the law and it’s also not the one we’ve signed, so there will always be the intention of the authors, but the interpretation and operationalizing will be done by our agencies and there is absolutely no intention to take this away from minors. It’s just illegal.”
He added that the cannabis program, just like the state’s alcohol laws dating back more than a century, will probably continue to evolve over time.
Will there be changes to the law? “My god, we are changing the alcohol laws after 120 years,” he said. “We are still discussing upgrading and modernizing that.”
Walz stated, “This was a well-thought-out piece of legislation.” You can debate its merits and we can come back to it. It is illegal for minors in Minnesota to use marijuana. It was not then, it’s not now and it will never be. “It’s that simple.”
Republicans raised concerns about the public consumption of cannabis in a letter sent to the governor at end-of-month.
He said that under the law, “individual and regional jurisdictions” could decide to prohibit public smoking of marijuana just as open alcohol containers are prohibited. State law does not prevent people from drinking in public places.
He reiterated his “absolutely” belief that the marijuana law would be revised by the Legislature, saying it was “the correct way to go about this.”
“I believe that you should expect there will be tweaks.” “Every other state has done this and gone through the same permutations,” said he. “The prohibition failed. It punished groups, and specifically certain racial groups. We did not see any decrease in its use.”
Walz stated that those who are screamed at or spread false information have no plans to deal with these issues.
—
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and psychedelics bills, as well as drug policy legislation in state legislatures. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
The law that legalized marijuana in Minnesota took effect on Monday. Adults 21 years and older are now allowed to possess and grow cannabis. The first tribally-owned marijuana shops opened before traditional licensees.
The earliest state-licensed retail stores are expected to be online in 2024. Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura announced last week that he too wants to be part of the action and have his face appear on a marijuana product .
It also created the Office of Cannabis Management, which was launched last month. The primary regulatory body will be responsible for overseeing the market. The governor is actively looking for an executive director.
The Cannabis Expungement Board is another body which has been established. It will help seal records for those with marijuana convictions in their record. The review of eligible cases began last week.
Before Walz even signed the reform law, the state created a website to serve as a central hub of information on the new law. Officials are also soliciting vendors who can help create a licensing system.
Last week, another Minnesota Law went into effect that legalized drug paraphernalia, syringes, residues of controlled substances, and testing.
A Minnesota Government Psychedelics Task Force is also being formed in order to prepare Minnesota for possible legalization of substances such as psilocybin or ibogaine. The panel’s first meeting was delayed by one month and appointments are behind schedule. However, the legislator who spearheaded its creation is not concerned about the delays.
SXSW opens voting on more than 100 Marijuana and Psychedelics panels for 2024 festival
The post Minnesota Gov. Tells Republicans to Stop Spreading “Misinformation” About Marijuana Legalization Law first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
