A late push by Minnesota Senate Democrats to legalize marijuana failed Wednesday, underscoring that leisure pot use is unlikely to be allowed in Minnesota this yr.
Marijuana is authorized in Minnesota for sure medical functions.
Wednesday’s effort, which failed in a procedural vote nearly solely alongside occasion strains within the Republican-controlled Senate, may be considered by the lens of election-year politics.
Two cannabis-legalization events are energetic in Minnesota, and Democrats concern that candidates from these events can peel off a few of their voters who really feel strongly about marijuana. Wednesday’s maneuver by Senate Democrats, whereas doomed, can function DFLers laying down a marker that they’re united of their assist for complete legalization.
The Democratic-Farmer-Labor-controlled House passed a plan to legalize pot last year, with some Republicans voting in favor of it, and Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, has stated he would signal it if it had been to achieve his desk.
Nonetheless, assist amongst Republicans within the Senate has by no means been sturdy, and plenty of are stridently opposed. Some Senate Republicans have been amenable to “decriminalization” plans that might reduce penalties for pot and expunge information of these convicted for minor possession. Former state Sen. Scott Jensen, the Republican-endorsed candidate for Governor this yr, helps such expungement.
On Wednesday, Senate Minority Chief Melisa Lopez Franzen referred to as such measures “piecemeal” and stated they wouldn’t suffice.
Wednesday’s vote within the Senate wasn’t truly on the deserves of legalization, however on whether or not the proposal ought to be delivered to the Senate ground. Each DFLer who voted on the measure voted in favor of that concept, whereas each Republican who voted solid their vote towards it. Two retiring independents, Sens. Tom Bakk of Cook dinner and David Tomassoni of Chisholm, cut up their votes, with Bakk opposing and Thomassoni supporting.