marijuana Archives - The Minnesota Sun

Marijuana Use Soaring Among College Students While Alcohol Use Drops, Study Finds

September 15, 2021September 14, 2021 Minnesota Sun Staff

Marijuana use among college students has surged while alcohol use dropped, according to a recent National Institute of Health and National Institute of Drug Abuse study.

The “Monitoring the Future” study found that 44% of college students said they used marijuana in 2020, an increase from 38% in 2015. More, “daily” or “near daily” marijuana use among college students increased from 5% to 8% over the last five years.

The number of college students who said they consumed alcohol, on the other hand, dipped from over 62% in 2019 to 56% in 2020, according to the report. Binge drinking among college students, defined as having five or more drinks in one outing, decreased from 32% in 2019 to 24% in 2020.

Minnesota House Approves Legal Marijuana; Dead Upon Arrival in Senate

May 16, 2021May 15, 2021 The Center Square

The Minnesota House voted 72-61 to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and expunge minor marijuana convictions.

The Senate leader, however, designated the bill dead upon arrival.

“The war on drugs is a failed policy,” House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said. “The harms caused by current cannabis laws cannot be allowed to continue. Minnesota’s illegal cannabis market creates bad outcomes for everyone. Responsible regulations and safeguards to prevent youth access are a better solution to address the harms our current laws fail to address.”

Online Sports Betting, Marijuana Legalization Unlikely for Minnesota in 2021

January 26, 2021January 25, 2021 The Center Square

During the COVID-19 pandemic, states are turning to new revenue sources in an attempt to avoid raising taxes while filling a projected gaping budget deficit.

For Minnesota, that number is a $1.3 billion projected shortfall for fiscal year 2022-2023.

But top lawmakers say two revenue sources that have been popular in other states are unlikely to be signed into law this year; namely, the legalization of recreational marijuana and online sports betting.

Kamala Harris Had Nearly 2,000 People Locked up on Marijuana Charges: Report

August 14, 2020August 13, 2020 Minnesota Sun Staff

Sen. Kamala Harris, presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s running mate, reportedly prosecuted nearly 2,000 people on marijuana-related charges during her time as California attorney general.

A total of 1,974 people were sent to state prisons for marijuana-related offenses during Harris’s 2011-2016 tenure as the Golden State’s lead prosecutor, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

State Senator Accuses DFL of Sending ‘Mixed Messages’ on Weed and Vaping

February 10, 2020February 11, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A Minnesota Republican thinks his Democratic colleagues are sending “mixed messages” to Minnesotans on the impact of substance use.

Minnesota House Democrats Say They Will Prioritize Gun Control and Climate Change in 2020

February 7, 2020February 11, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota House Democrats said they will once again prioritize gun control and climate change during the upcoming legislative session.

Audit Finds Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program Lacks ‘Adequate’ Internal Controls

January 20, 2020January 19, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A new report found that the Minnesota Department of Health’s “internal controls” for its medical cannabis program “were generally not adequate to safeguard financial assets and ensure compliance with selected legal requirements.”

Federal Lawmakers Move on Bill to Decriminalize Cannabis

November 22, 2019November 21, 2019 Minnesota Sun Staff

U.S. Representatives voted to move cannabis decriminalization legislation out of committee, setting the stage for a historic vote of the entire chamber, but the Democrat-sponsored bill faces an uncertain fate in the U.S. Senate.

Gov. Walz Has Directed State Agencies to Prepare for Recreational Marijuana

August 28, 2019August 27, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Gov. Tim Walz recently said he’s directed state agencies to prepare for the passage of a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in Minnesota.

Michigan’s New Marijuana Laws: What Consumers, Business Owners Should Know

July 12, 2019July 11, 2019 Minnesota Sun Staff

by Scott McClallen The agency that regulates the marijuana market in Michigan has clarified rules to sell product legally to adult residents, making it easier for small businesses to enter the market. Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency said it plans to accept business applications through Nov. 1 and are required to…

Illinois Becomes Eleventh State to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

June 27, 2019June 26, 2019 Minnesota Sun Staff

Illinois became the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana Tuesday, and the first to do so through its legislature rather than a ballot initiative. Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into law after the legislature passed it late last month. “As the first state in the nation to…

Arizona’s Tucson Border Chief Villareal: Drug Traffickers Using Migrant Crisis to Import Illicit Narcotics

May 27, 2019May 26, 2019 Minnesota Sun Staff

by Jason Hopkins Border Patrol Tucson Sector Chief Roy Villareal broke down how drug traffickers are taking advantage of the immigration crisis at the U.S. southern border, a situation he said will continue without help from Congress. “This appears to be a growing trend — something that we experienced before, but…

Illinois Governor Pritzker Announces Plan to Legalize Marijuana

May 6, 2019May 5, 2019 Minnesota Sun Staff

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Saturday that he’d reached an agreement with key lawmakers on a plan to legalize recreational marijuana in the state starting next year. The legislation would allow adults 21 and older to legally buy cannabis for recreational use from licensed dispensaries. Illinois residents could possess…

Marijuana-Related ER Visits Triple in Colorado

March 30, 2019March 29, 2019 Minnesota Sun Staff

by Joshua Nelson A toxicology specialist has found a connection between legalized marijuana and a threefold increase in related visits to emergency rooms in Colorado for heart and other issues, confirming that cannabis poses health risks. Marijuana may be a recreational activity for many, but marijuana-infused “edibles” in particular…

Recreational Marijuana Bill Dies in Minnesota Senate Committee

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019 Andrew Shirley

The Minnesota State Senate Judiciary Committee overwhelmingly voted to kill a bill that would have legalized recreational marijuana throughout the state Monday. Senate Bill, SF 619, would have made it legal for individuals “21 years of age or older to cultivate, consume, use, and possess cannabis, cannabis products, and cannabis accessories,” as…

Republican-Backed Medical Marijuana Bill Clears First Hurdle in Georgia

March 7, 2019March 6, 2019 Minnesota Sun Staff

by Evie Fordham A Republican-backed bill to make it legal for Georgians to obtain, not just possess, limited amounts of medical marijuana oil cleared its first hurdle in the state’s House of Representatives Tuesday. The bill is sponsored by five Republican state representatives and one Democrat. Republican state Rep.…

Hawaii Decides Again Not to Legalize Marijuana

March 3, 2019March 2, 2019 Minnesota Sun Staff

On the political spectrum, Hawaii is among the bluest of states. Democrats control all the levers of power at the state and federal levels, and voters back Democratic presidential candidates over Republicans by some of the widest margins in the U.S. The state has committed to the Paris climate agreement…

DFL Lawmakers Introduce House Bill 420 to Legalize Marijuana in Minnesota

January 29, 2019January 28, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

DFL lawmakers took the first concrete steps to legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota Monday by introducing companion bills in the Minnesota House and Senate. House File (HF) 420, sponsored by Rep. Mike Freiberg (D-Golden Valley), and Senate File (619), sponsored by Sen. Melissa Franzen (D-Edina), would make it legal in…

Pro-Legalization Protesters Mock and Shout Down Minnesota Mother Who Lost Son to Impaired Driver

January 18, 2019January 17, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

A Wednesday press conference at the Minnesota State Capitol kicked off what is sure to be an emotional and divisive debate over the legalization of marijuana. The press conference was called by Smart Approaches to Marijuana Minnesota, and both Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom and Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie…

St. Paul City Council Votes in Favor of Recreational Marijuana As Long-Time Member Resigns

December 17, 2018December 16, 2018 Anthony Gockowski

The St. Paul City Council voted 6-1 Wednesday in favor of adding the legalization of marijuana to its list of legislative priorities for the upcoming session. The resolution, authored by Council Member Dai Thao and co-sponsored by Council Members Rebecca Noecker and Mitra Nelson, argues that the decriminalization of recreational…

NASA Opens Investigation Into SpaceX Over Musk Smoking Weed

November 22, 2018November 22, 2018 Admin

by Chris White NASA is ordering an investigation into SpaceX’s culture and commitment to safety after company CEO Elon Musk took a hit off a marijuana cigarette in September on a livestreamed podcast. The agency’s review will look at both Boeing and SpaceX, both of which are responsible for…