The Governor of Minnesota signed two large-scale bills, which include provisions for safe drug consumption and also a task force to prepare Minnesota for possible legalization.
The Democratic-controlled legislature has sent a series of drug policy reform measures to Gov. Tim Walz (D) in recent weeks. On Wednesday, he signed the harm-reduction and psychedelics legislation that was part of a broader omnibus bill on health and human service.
The bill was passed just days after the Governor enacted a similar one that included provisions to allow for the possession of drug paraphernalia, syringe service, residue, and testing. This is another victory for advocates who are committed to harm reduction in the state.
He’s also preparing for a “big ceremony” next week, after Memorial Day, to sign the legislation that was much anticipated to legalize marijuana.
The psychedelics bill that Walz signed Wednesday creates a Psychedelic Drug Task Force, which is responsible for advising legislators on “the legal and medical issues related to the legalization of psychedelic drugs in the state.”
The body must “review existing studies in the scientific literature regarding the therapeutic efficacy psychedelic medicines in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic disorder. It should also consider any other medical and mental conditions that psychedelics may be effective in treating.”
The plan will address “statutory changes required for the legalization psychedelic medicines” as well as “state and local regulations of psychedelic drugs.”
was introduced as a separate bill. The legislation would have required that the task force examine mescaline (and other drugs such as bufotenine), DMT (5-MeO-DMT), 2C-B ibogaine salvinorin-A and ketamine. The bill was changed in committee so that it only focused on psilocybin MDMA and LSD.
The newly passed proposal requires that $338,000 be allocated in fiscal 2024, and $171,000 for fiscal 2025 in order to fund the taskforce.
The 23-member taskforce will be made up of experts and officials, including the Governor or his designee; the Health Commissioner, the State Attorney General or his designee; two tribal representatives; people with experience in substance abuse treatment and public health policy, veterans with mental illnesses, and others.
Similarly, Walz signed the Human Services Omnibus Legislation, making Minnesota the second U.S. state to allow overdose prevention centres where people can use current illicit drugs under medical supervision.
The Bill directs that the commissioner of Human Services create grants for harm-reduction organizations. It states that “the funding must be used to establish sites offering harm reduction services and supplies including, but not limited, safe injection spaces,” according to the text. The bill provides $14.5 million of one-time funding, which will be distributed each year until 2029. This money is used to fund grants for the creation of these facilities.
Emily Kaltenbach is the senior director for criminal legal reform and policing at the Drug Policy Alliance. She said in a release that the Governor’s decision “marks an important turning point in Minnesota, as they choose a health-oriented approach to responding to the overdose epidemic moving forward.”
She said that “with a stroke, Governor Walz took bold and courageous actions by signing SF2934 which supports and creates a path for the state officially sanctioning the use of overdose-prevention centers.” “This acknowledges that people will use substances and the need to provide addiction services and support while keeping them safe.”
Big Win! Minnesota is the second state after Rhode Island to support overdose prevention centres. This afternoon, @GovTimWalz signed SF 2934, which mandates the Commissioner of Human Services to establish overdose prevention centers and includes more than $14… pic.twitter.com/0D8H3ZdgzO
Drug Policy Alliance May 24 2023 HTML0
She continued. While they may keep people alive and safer, we must also meet their basic needs, including investing in housing, wages that are livable, and better health care. We must also decriminalize personal use of drugs.
Those who support marijuana legalization for adults are also eager to see Minnesota become the 23rd State in the nation to do so. Walz’s administration is also clearly in favor of legalizing marijuana for adult use.
Minnesota officials have already asked vendors to assist in building a licensing system that will be used for marijuana businesses. This is even before the Governor has signed the bill.
Recently, the government launched a website to inform consumers and business about the upcoming cannabis policies.
Colorado Governor Signs Psychedelics Regulation Bill Into Law
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