Governor Tim Walz

The Pro-Legalization Majority

Tim Walz

Governor

Longtime supporter of cannabis legalization
Prepared state agencies to implement legalization
Included legalization in budget requests
Strong cannabis-friendly voting record in Congress
Approved major changes to the medical cannabis program, including the additions of chronic pain and raw cannabis flower

In the Press

Governor Tim Walz | Press

June 3, 2022

Minnesota Governor Signs Bill To Clarify Legality Of CBD-Infused Hemp Foods And Drinks

The governor of Minnesota on Thursday signed a large-scale bill into law that includes provisions to provide permanent protections allowing state hemp businesses to legally market certain cannabis products—including foods and beverages infused with CBD and other cannabinoids. Gov. Tim Walz (D) signe…

April 21, 2022

Gov. Walz Stirs Up The Pot With A Tweet About Legalizing Pot

Governor Tim Walz stirred up the Minnesota Twitter community Wednesday evening with a one-line tweet about marijuana:

“It's time to legalize adult-use cannabis and expunge cannabis convictions in Minnesota.”

April 21, 2022

Could legalized marijuana be Minnesota’s future? And the impact it could have on local hemp farm

ZUMBROTA, Minn. - Governor Walz is saying recreational pot could be in Minnesota’s future.

February 28, 2022

Medical, smokable marijuana is now for sale in Minnesota

Flower, or bud, is now legal throughout Minnesota for medical use, and dispensaries in the Twin Cities have already started selling.

January 26, 2022

Gov. Walz proposes legalizing marijuana and spending $2.3 billion on health and public safety - Minnesota Reformer

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan unveiled a sweeping package of health and public safety proposals Wednesday that would cost nearly $2.3 billion over three years. Walz and Flanagan’s supplemental budget recommendations include a slew of policies the governor says will lower crime rates and…

May 25, 2021

Minnesota Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Smokable Medical Marijuana

The governor of Minnesota on Tuesday signed a large-scale bill that includes provisions to expand the state’s medical marijuana program, in part by allowing patients to access smokable cannabis products. Earlier this month, a bicameral conference committee approved the reform, in addition to several…

January 27, 2021

Minnesota Governor Urges Lawmakers To Pursue Marijuana Legalization Amid Budget Talks

The governor of Minnesota on Tuesday implored the legislature to look into legalizing marijuana as a means to boost the economy and promote racial justice. During a briefing focused on his budget proposal for the 2022-23 biennium, Gov. Tim Walz (D) was asked whether he is open to allowing sports bet…

August 27, 2019

Minnesota governor prepares for legalization of recreational marijuana

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ordered state agencies to prepare for legalization of recreational marijuana, despite a vow from the Senate to block legislation.

August 26, 2019

Minnesota Governor Directs State Agencies To Prepare For Marijuana Legalization

Minnesota’s governor is setting the stage for marijuana legalization in 2020. While it’s not clear what a legal cannabis program would look like in the state, as legislators are actively considering several options, Gov. Tim Walz (D) told Minnesota Public Radio that he’s directed state agencies to p…

March 12, 2019

Gov. Walz lights into MN Republicans for killing recreational marijuana bill

Gov. Tim Walz ripped into Republicans on Tuesday for rejecting a bill that would have legalized recreational marijuana in the state.

January 1, 2019

Experts predict 2019 will be a “real game-changer” for marijuana legalization. Here’s where it could be legal next

Experts say that eyes are on the Northeast in states like New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for marijuana legalization in 2019.

November 25, 2018

Legalize pot? Gov.-elect Tim Walz says Minnesota should

Going green could take on a new meaning in Minnesota if incoming Gov. Tim Walz has something to say about it. As more states legalize marijuana, Walz says it’s time for Minnesota to follow suit. He…

May 8, 2018

First Marijuana Reform Bill Clears Congressional Committee

Filed by Veterans’ Affairs Committee GOP Chairman Phil Roe of Tennessee and Congressman Tim Walz of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the committee, along with 52 other cosponsors, the bill would encourage the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to “conduct and support research relating to the efficacy and safety” of medical cannabis “on the health outcomes of covered veterans diagnosed with chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions.”

September 7, 2017

Rep. Walz Wants Recreational Marijuana Legalized in Minnesota

(Mankato, MN) – Congressman Tim Walz of Mankato says it’s time for Minnesota to make …

Social Media

Governor Tim Walz | Social Media

It’s time to legalize adult-use cannabis and expunge cannabis convictions in Minnesota.

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) April 20, 2022

There are a lot of jokes that people will make today, but the fact that our state still hasn’t expunged cannabis convictions is no laughing matter. We have to get this done.

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) April 20, 2022

I’m pushing to #LegalizeMN and expunge cannabis convictions in our state.

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) April 20, 2022

I support legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use by developing a system of taxation, guaranteeing that it is Minnesota grown, and expunging the records of Minnesotans convicted of marijuana crimes. #mngov #OneMinnesota

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 10, 2018

Today seems to be a good time to reinforce that I support creating a tax-and-regulate system for adult use marijuana in Minnesota.

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) April 20, 2018

I support a system of regulation and taxation for adult-use marijuana.

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) January 27, 2018

It’s time to create a system of regulation and taxation for adult-use marijuana in MN. Here’s my full statement: https://t.co/0aksM5Zz7i

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) September 8, 2017

Record

Governor Tim Walz | Official Record

Select voting record:

1/26/2022: Included cannabis legalizing in Governor’s budget proposal
4/16/2018: Introduced the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018 (Congress)
5/19/2016: Voted “YES” on allowing VA providers to complete forms related to state medical marijuana programs
6/30/2015: Voted “YES” on prohibiting the use of funds to prevent states from legalizing cannabis and medical cannabis
4/30/2015: Voted “YES” on prohibiting the VA from using funds to enforce a prohibition on providers completing forms for medical cannabis
7/16/2014: Voted “YES” on prohibiting states from penalizing a bank for providing financial services to marijuana businesses (Congress)
5/30/2014: Voted “YES” on prohibiting federal agencies from preventing states from authorizing the use of medical marijuana (Congress)
7/25/2007: Voted “YES” to prohibit the Dept of Justice from using funds to prevent states from legalizing the distribution, possession, and cultivation of medical marijuana (Congress)