SAINT PAUL, MN— Today, Assistant DFL Leader Senator Jeff Hayden introduced a bill that would legalize the adult-use of cannabis and create a strong regulatory framework. Legalizing cannabis for adult-use would help veterans legally get the care they need, allow law enforcement to focus resources on more serious crimes, and expand freedom for Minnesotans.
“Minnesotans deserve the freedom to make responsible decisions about cannabis use themselves. Legalizing cannabis for adult use will offer broad benefits across the state, but we need to create a responsible regulatory framework to get it right,” said Assistant Minority Leader Senator Jeff Hayden. “Legalizing cannabis isn’t just about access. It’s about acknowledging the harm that has come from the criminalization and prohibition of cannabis, especially in communities of color. The creation of a regulatory framework would address the harms caused by cannabis and establish a more sensible set of laws to improve our health care and criminal justice systems.”
The bill also includes funding for public health awareness, youth education and prevention, and education for substance use disorder treatment providers. It would also provide expungement of most cannabis convictions and a grants and loans program for farmers and new businesses to support job creation in communities across the state.
Read more news from Sen. Hayden.
