Virtual File - Item

Text: July 28, 2023

The Honorable Tim Walz
Governor of Minnesota
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

The Honorable Melissa Hortman
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Minnesota House of Representatives
463 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155

The Honorable Kari Dziedzic
Senate Majority Leader
Minnesota Senate
3113 Minnesota Senate Building
St. Paul, MN 55155

via electronic delivery

Dear Governor Walz, Speaker Hortman, and Majority Leader Dziedzic:

We write to express deep concern with recent news stories suggesting that House File 100, a top
priority for Minnesota Democrats, effectively legalized marijuana for children. Based on
comments by the bill author, Senator Lindsey Port (D-Burnsville) this was an intentional choice
on the part of Democrats.

Marijuana use among children and teenagers is a serious problem. According to the United
States Center for Disease Control, it can lead to an increased risk of mental health issues,
difficulty thinking and problem-solving, problems with memory and learning, and problems with
school and social life.

Adding to our concern are reports from law enforcement that marijuana is increasingly laced
with other illicit drugs, including deadly fentanyl.

Legal consequences are a significant and important deterrent from youth addiction and can help
avoid more grave issues later in life. This legislation deliberately took away an important tool for
parents, law enforcement, and local communities to keep kids from harming themselves or
others.

Democrats' marijuana legalization is only in the beginning stages but problems have already
emerged from this hastily crafted piece of legislation. We urge you to agree to a narrowly
tailored special session to address several glaring issues already confounding parents and local
communities:

- Reinstate penalties for possession and consumption of marijuana for those under 21 years
of age.

- Provide local communities with broader and permanent regulatory authority over the sale,
possession, and consumption of marijuana, and impose greater limits on smoking and
vaping of marijuana in public places.

- Close the Black-Market Loophole that allows for illicit sales to flourish in the period
between when marijuana possession and consumption is legalized and when a regulated
retail market is established.

These are basic, responsible steps that can be taken now to avoid larger problems in the future.
We know from last year's hastily conceived legalization of low-dose THC consumables that
poorly crafted laws lead to confusion and frustration.

If the legalization of recreational marijuana is to succeed in a responsible and safe manner, a
special session is necessary to address these concerns before the Minnesota Legislature
reconvenes in February 2024.

We stand ready and willing to work with you on solutions that protect our kids and communities.
Sincerely,

Peggy Scott
State Representative, District 31B

Lisa Demuth
House Minority Leader

Kristin Robbins
State Representative, District 37A

John Burkel
State Representative, District 1A

Bernie Perryman
State Representative, District 14A

Dean Urdahl
State Representative, District 16A

Thomas Murphy
State Representative, District 9B

Elliott Engen
State Representative, District 36A

Greg Davids
State Representative, District 28B

Brian Daniels
State Representative, District 19A

Jeff Dotseth
State Representative, District 11A

Steven Jacob
State Representative, District 20B

Joe Schomacker
State Representative, District 21A

Pam Altendorf
State Representative, District 20A

Ron Kresha
State Representative, District 10A

Mary Franson
State Representative, District 12B

Paul Novotny
State Representative, District 30B

Ben Davis
State Representative, District 6A

Marj Fogelman
State Representative, District 21B

Spencer Igo
State Representative, District 7A