Tim Walz on Drugs Democrat

Scored A by NORML: "Prohibiting cannabis hasn't worked"

NORML Politician Info: rated A

Tim Walz (D - MN); Holds office Governor

• SUMMARY: LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE: 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.
• "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

Signed legalization & regulation of recreational cannabis

Minneapolis Star-Tribune analysis, August 9, 2023: Gov. Tim Walz signed into law a sweeping 321-page bill to legalize marijuana in Minnesota following months of debate in the Legislature.  It legalizes the possession and use of marijuana for Minnesotans 21 and older. It creates a new state agency, called the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), overseeing a legal recreational market, as well as the existing medical cannabis and hemp-derived markets. Minnesotans are allowed to possess or transport in public up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower, up to 8 grams of cannabis concentrates, and edible cannabis products containing up to a total of 800 milligrams of THC. They may also possess up to 2 pounds of marijuana in their homes.

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 73-57-4 on May/18/23; passed Senate 34-32-1 on May/19/23; Signed by Governor Tim Walz on May/30/23

Treatment options for fentanyl addiction & opioid crisis

Despite the deadly consequences of substance use, only one in ten people with a substance use disorder receives treatment. To prevent more tragic deaths, we must do more to combat substance use and educate and provide treatment to all those who need it.

In 2019, I signed the Opiate Epidemic Response bill: Minnesota now raises funds from prescribers, drug manufacturers, and distributors to fight the opioid crisis.

I order as follows:
• The Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction Subcabinet is established.
• The purpose of the Subcabinet is to identify opportunities that support access to treatment options or addiction-related services.

Full legalization of medical and recreational marijuana

Jeff Johnson (R): Supports medical marijuana but opposed to legalizing recreational.

Tim Walz (D): Yes. Supports full legalization of medical and recreational marijuana for adults.

Supports medical marijuana

Indicate which principles you support regarding drugs.
• Expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
• Allow doctors to recommend marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
• Increase border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.

Rated 75% by NORML, indicating a pro-legalization stance.

Scoring system for 2014: Ranges from 0% (opposes all forms of marijuana decriminalization) to 75% (supports marijuana decriminalization and legalization).

About NORML (from their website, www.norml.org):

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law`s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty. This model is called `decriminalization.`

NORML additionally supports the development of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers could purchase it from a safe, legal and regulated source. This model is referred to as `legalization.`

NORML believes that marijuana smoking is not for kids and should only be used responsibly by adults. As with alcohol consumption, it must never be an excuse for misconduct or other bad behavior. Driving or operating heavy equipment while impaired from marijuana should be prohibited.

NORML strongly supports the right of patients to use marijuana as a medicine when their physician recommends it to relieve pain and suffering.

Lastly, NORML supports the right of farmers to commercially cultivate hemp for industrial purposes, such as food and fiber production.

Rated B by NORML, indicating a pro-drug-reform stance.

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2016 NORML scores as follows:

• C-/D/F: `hard-on-drugs` stance (approx. 243 members)
• C: mixed record on drug reform (approx. 45 members)
• A/B: pro-drug-reform stance (approx. 293 members)

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law`s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.

NORML is a nonprofit, public-interest lobby that for more than 30 years has provided a voice for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition. We represent the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly and believe the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana should no longer be a crime.

NORML supports the removal of all criminal penalties for the private possession & responsible use of marijuana by adults, including the cultivation for personal use, and the casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts. This model is called `decriminalization.`

NORML additionally supports the development of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers could purchase it from a safe, legal and regulated source. This model is referred to as `legalization.`

NORML believes that marijuana smoking is not for kids and should only be used responsibly by adults. As with alcohol consumption, it must never be an excuse for misconduct or other bad behavior. Driving or operating heavy equipment while impaired from marijuana should be prohibited.

NORML strongly supports the right of patients to use marijuana as a medicine when their physician recommends it to relieve pain and suffering.

Lastly, NORML supports the right of farmers to commercially cultivate hemp for industrial purposes, such as food and fiber production.