According to the Duluth News Tribune Governor Elect Tim Walz says Minnesota should follow suit with other states across the country in legalizing marijuana. Walz has argued that legalizing marijuana could bring in a new source of tax revenue into the state and could reduce the number of people incarcerated for drug offenses. He went on to say “I just think the time is here and we’re seeing it across the country. Minnesota has always been able to implement these things right,”

Recreational marijuana is now legal in 10 states including Washington D.C. and 33 states including Minnesota allow Medical Marijuana. Michigan recently became the first state in the Midwest to legalize marijuana. But, Walz would not be able to legalize this on his own it would have to go through the Minnesota Legislature, which will be split between Democrats and Republicans come January.

A recent Gallup Poll found that 66 % of Americans support legalizing marijuana.  Colorado was one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, and this year, Colorado’s cannabis industry has generated more than $1 billion in sales and $200 million in tax revenue.

But for those that are opposed like State Rep. Brian Johnson, R-Cambridge who was a former law enforcement officer, he said "I don’t think it’s good for Minnesota at all,. like all drugs, abuse of it can cause mental health issues.”

State Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, will become speaker of the House when the Legislature convenes in January, said marijuana laws will be discussed in the House next year, but “it is too early to say what the path for this issue will look like.”

 

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