Minnesota House Republicans call for special session on marijuana days before legalization

A group of state lawmakers is calling for a special session on recreational marijuana just days before the legislation will take effect.

Friday, 20 Minnesota House Republicans, including House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, sent a letter to Gov. Tim Walz, Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, and Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic calling for the special session.

In their letter, the lawmakers expressed concern that the recreational marijuana bill passed in May “effectively legalized marijuana for children.”

Their message comes four days before the law is set to go into effect on Aug. 1.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reported extensively on the upcoming legalization of recreational marijuana for Minnesotans 21 and older. Click here to see that coverage.

Teddy Tschann, a spokesperson for Walz, sent the following statement to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS:

“It’s illegal for minors to use marijuana today and it will be illegal for minors to use marijuana after this law goes into effect. Any minor caught consuming or possessing marijuana could be charged with a petty misdemeanor, and any adult caught selling marijuana to a minor could be subject to jail time. This group of republican legislators should stop implying otherwise.”

Sen. Lindsey Port (DFL-Burnsville) also issued a statement calling the request “outrageous” and “an attempt to use fearmongering and misinformation to stall the implementation of this bill.”