Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz is calling on lawmakers to pass legislation to legalize marijuana use in Minnesota, as he proposes funds from his budget plan to launch a state authority to oversee a recreational marijuana program.
This week Governor Walz says his budget would set aside $25 million to create the new “Cannabis Management Office”.
The office would oversee the “safe and responsible legalization of cannabis for adult use in Minnesota,” according to the Governor.
The office would be tasked with developing a framework for legal cannabis in Minnesota. Funds would also pay for grants for “individuals entering the legal cannabis market.”
According to Walz, the program would also fund substance abuse treatment and prevention along with education programs on the adverse health effects of cannabis use among children and pregnant women.
Walz also plans for a provision to allow for the expungement of past non-violent crimes related to cannabis – along with state taxes.
The Governor’s budget factors in cannabis tax revenue in 2024 and 2025.
Governor Tim Walz’s latest health and safety budget proposal is dedicating $25 million dollars toward the legalization of adult-use marijuana in Minnesota.
Leili Fatehi, the campaign manager for Minnesotans for Responsible Marijuana Regulation, said, “Now not only do we have a comprehensive and strong bill that has passed through the House of Representatives, we now also have the support of the governor’s office and his administration. We know that the majority of Minnesotan strongly support adult use legalization and that they will. We trust that they will hold accountable those legislators that stand in its way.”
