ST. PAUL, MINN. (MNN) – Despite a big push from supporters, chances don’t look particularly good this legislative session for Minnesota legalizing recreational marijuana. Governor Tim Walz said last week it should happen “as fast as Minnesotans are comfortable we’re doing the right thing” — but Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka does not appear interested.
He said, “We do think there’s a chance that we’ll do early opioid abuse language to deal with that issue, and why would we suddenly on the other side now expand recreational marijuana?”
Governor Walz has said any move to legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota should also erase the criminal records of low-level marijuana offenders — i.e, those who weren’t dealers and didn’t commit any other crime. Opponents warn recreational marijuana leads to more serious drug use, addiction and associated crime.