Minnesota Governor Believes Cannabis Legalization Could Happen Next Session

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said during a radio appearance last week that the state could pass cannabis legalization reforms as soon as the next session after the election saw Democrats take control over both chambers of the legislature and Walz was reelected, CBS Minnesota reports.  

During a podcast last Thursday, former Gov. Jesse Ventura said Walz has indicated cannabis legalization would be one of the first bills passed by the new Democratic-led legislature.

“It just makes sense. Prohibition didn’t work. We get better regulation. I just mentioned that I think it would be important to recognize [Ventura], asked him if he would be there when we get this done.” — Walz during an appearance on WCCO radio via CBS News 

House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) told CBS News that the “caucus supports adult-use cannabis” and that she believes lawmakers “will pass that bill.” 

In the last session, the House passed a broad cannabis legalization bill but the measure was blocked by the Republican-led Senate. 

Ventura, the former professional wrestler and actor who served as governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, floated the idea of cannabis legalization during his tenure. Walz said Ventura “would have been on the front line of the first states to do this.”