legalization Archives - KVRR Local News

Democrats introduce bill to legalize marijuana & expunge pot convictions

January 5, 2023

Site Staff,

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) – House and Senate DFLers announce a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana for those 21 and older and expunge pot related convictions. Author of the House bill, State Representative Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids, explains the measure would make a legal marketplace to grow, buy and sell cannabis with regulations. He says it also includes traffic…

California nonprofit challenges claims made by Measure 2 opponents

Measure 2 is on the November ballot in North Dakota to legalize cannabis.

October 27, 2022

Hami Arain,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A nonprofit in California is pushing back against claims that legalizing cannabis will increase crime, teen use and traffic deaths. Diane Goldstein is the Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, and a former police officer. She says they feel this isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue. The group advocates for criminal justice and drug…

South Dakota pot legalization bill cleared for Senate vote

February 17, 2022

Jim Monk,

PIERRE, S.D. – A bipartisan proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in South Dakota survived its first test in the Legislature. A Senate committee on Thursday recommended the proposal for a vote in the full Senate next week. Voters approved recreational marijuana legalization through a ballot measure in 2020. However, Republican Gov. Kristi Noem challenged its constitutionality and the state Supreme…

South Dakota Supreme Court rules against pot legalization

November 24, 2021

Jim Monk,

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld a lower court’s ruling that nullified a voter-passed amendment to the state constitution that would have legalized recreational marijuana use. Gov. Kristi Noem instigated the legal fight to strike down the amendment passed by voters in November. The Republican governor opposed marijuana legalization, but her administration argued in court that…

Minnesota House Democrats Plan 15 Cannabis Conversations

The first three community conversations will be held in Duluth, Minneapolis and St. Cloud in September and October.

August 30, 2019

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ST. PAUL, Minn.–Minnesota House Democrats are hitting the road for a series of town halls on how the state should go about legalizing recreational marijuana. House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler says his chamber will pass a legalization bill in the 2020 session, so it’s vitally important that Minnesotans weigh in. The first three of 15 community conversations dubbed “Be Heard…

Minnesota Governor Orders State Agencies to Prepare for Pot Legalization

Walz says he's relying on supporters to continue pushing for legalization.

August 26, 2019

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ST. PAUL, Minn.–Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he’s ordered state agencies to be prepared to legalize recreational marijuana next year if the Legislature approves a bill. But Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says he’ll block the bill in the Republican-controlled chamber. Walz tells Minnesota Public Radio News that he’s relying on supporters to continue pushing for legalization. House Majority Leader…

Group Against ND Legalizing Marijuana Says Measure 3 Doesn’t Protect Citizens

They say states like Colorado aren't reaping all the benefits that were promised

October 10, 2018

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FARGO, N.D. — With less than a month to go before Election Day, there’s plenty of talk of Measure 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana. A major argument is that states like Colorado aren’t reaping all the benefits that were promised with legal weed. The group North Dakotans Against the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana points to a letter from the…

Volunteers Advocate for “Yes” Vote on Measure 3, Which Would Legalize Marijuana

They say states that have already legalized it are seeing benefits

September 22, 2018

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FARGO, N.D. — When you head to the polls, you’ll see something on the ballot called Measure 3. It will legalize marijuana in the state of North Dakota, and advocates say that would help many families. “I have several friends with chronic illnesses that will not be able to use medicinal marijuana, and that really upsets me,” Lacey Planteen, a volunteer…

Several Organizations Speak Out Against Recreational Marijuana Legalization

They want people to vote against Measure 3 in November

September 6, 2018

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FARGO, N.D. — Several people and organizations are speaking out against the legalization of recreational marijuana. They’re urging people to vote against Measure 3 in November. Representatives from North Dakotans Against the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana, the Cass County Sheriff, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, and the North Dakota Chamber argued about the harms of marijuana. They say the measure would end…