Governor Walz has been an outspoken proponent of adult-use marijuana legalization and in 2019 he ordered state agencies to begin taking steps to prepare for a change in law.
Holds office Governor
"Q: Should marijuana be legalized across the U.S. for recreational and medical use? A: Well, I think it’s an issue for the states on some of those, and that’s the way the states have done it." (9/26/24)
"There’s work to be done nationally around the banking issue." (9/14/24)
"Criminalizing cannabis hasn’t worked. Minnesota recognized this – and chose a new direction. That’s why we legalized adult-use cannabis and are expunging nonviolent cannabis convictions in Minnesota." (8/7/23)"Criminalizing cannabis hasn’t worked. By legalizing it for adult use, we’re expanding our economy, creating jobs, and regulating the industry to keep Minnesotans safe. I’m proud to have signed this bill into law." (5/31/23)
"Today I signed a bill legalizing adult-use cannabis and expunging nonviolent cannabis convictions in Minnesota. This is the right move for Minnesota." (5/30/23)
"This has been a long journey with a lot of folks involved.”- “What we know right now is prohibition does not work. We’ve criminalized a lot of folks who are going to start the expungement process on those records." (5/30/23)
"We’ve known for too long that prohibiting the use of cannabis hasn’t worked. By legalizing adult-use cannabis, we’re expanding our economy, creating jobs, and regulating the industry to keep Minnesotans safe," said Governor Walz. "Legalizing adult-use cannabis and expunging or re-sentencing cannabis convictions will strengthen communities. This is the right move for Minnesota." (5/30/23)
H.R.5520 - VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018 (2017-2018)
"We've known for too long that prohibiting the use of cannabis hasn't worked. By legalizing adult-use cannabis, we're expanding our economy, creating jobs, and regulating the industry to keep Minnesotans safe." 5/30/2023
"I trust Minnesotans to make their own decisions when it comes to the use of adult-use, recreational cannabis. It's time we #LegalizeMN." (Twitter, October 2022)
"It's time to legalize adult-use cannabis and expunge cannabis convictions in Minnesota." 4/20/22
During his election campaign, Gov. Walz endorsed legalizing the adult use marijuana market, pledging to “replace the current failed policy with one that creates tax revenue, grows jobs, builds opportunities for Minnesotans, protects Minnesota kids, and trusts adults to make personal decisions based on their personal freedoms.” (9/7/18) (Link)
In just 1 day, the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act has earned strong #bipartisan support, proving research into #MedicalCannabis is not about politics, but serving #veterans. Watch me speak in support of the bill at yesterday's @HouseVetAffairs hearing.
4/18/18
“We have an opportunity in Minnesota to replace the current failed policy with one that creates tax revenue, grows jobs, builds opportunities for Minnesotans, protects Minnesota kids, and trusts adults to make personal decisions based on their personal freedoms.” Walz also mentioned the correlation between the drug war and the racial inequality driven by it. 9/20/17
"This system would include investments in youth education, proper testing of all marijuana products, and a regulatory structure that puts controls on growing, distribution and sales," said Walz. "We have an opportunity in Minnesota to replace the current failed policy with one that creates tax revenue, grows jobs, builds opportunities for Minnesotans, protects Minnesota kids, and trusts adults to make personal decisions based on their personal freedoms."
9/7/17
Email: info@walzforgovernor.org
Phone: 651-201-3400
130 State Capitol 75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Saint Paul, MN 55155