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Minnesota Senate approves adult-use cannabis
The measure will now go to conference committee to iron out differences.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota is another step closer to adult-use cannabis for recreational use, after the Minnesota Senate voted 34-33 in favor of legalization on Friday.
Following the party-line vote, the bill now must go to a conference committee to iron out differences with the version passed in the Minnesota House earlier this week, then face a final vote in each chamber before it could go to the desk of Governor Walz.
A series of amendments were added to the measure before the Senate vote, which included a provision that would allow local governments to impose restrictions on cannabis retailers.
Supporters of recreational cannabis felt the 2023 session would be their best chance yet at legalization, with the trifecta of DFL control in the House, Senate and governor’s office.
Both versions of the bill run over 300 pages. Among the major differences, the Senate version allows people to possess up to 5 pounds of cannabis flower at home, though only 2 pounds could be from sources other than home-grown. The House limit is 1.5 pounds whatever the source. The tax rate on cannabis products in the Senate bill is 10%, compared to 8% in the House version.
The measure would also expunge previous low-level marijuana-related criminal convictions, as supporters argue such convictions disproportionately affect communities of color.
“The prohibition of cannabis is a failed system that has not achieved the desired goals and has had incredible costs for our communities, especially for communities of color,” the lead author, DFL Sen. Lindsey Port, of Burnsville, told her colleagues.
Republican senators argued during the debate that the bill isn’t ready to become law this year and needs more work. They expressed concerns about the impacts on traffic safety and crime, addiction and other mental health issues.
“We’re opening a door that is going to be very difficult to close, and it’s going to be very difficult to put the genie back on the bottle once this occurs,” said Republican Sen. Warren Limmer, of Maple Grove, the lead Republican on the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
If the bill is signed into law, possession would become legal this summer, and decriminalization would go into effect in August of this year for the amounts prescribed in the bill. It would take longer for the state to begin issuing licenses to dispensaries and other newly-legal businesses because an entire state regulatory agency would need to be created first.
Gov. Walz has pledged to sign the bill if it reaches his desk. Minnesota would become the 23rd state to legalize adult-use cannabis.
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Sylvester Hudson walks with a limp and was last seen early on Saturday morning at Millers Landing Senior Living in Minneapolis.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are asking for the public’s help finding a missing elderly man last seen early on Saturday morning.
According to officials, 74-year-old Sylvester Hudson is approximately 6 feet tall and weighs around 130 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes.
Hudson is possibly wearing a black hat, jeans and socks. he walks with a limp and police said he would likely appear confused or disoriented.
The missing man was last seen around 3 a.m. at Millers Landing Senior Living in Minneapolis.
Anyone who sees Hudson is asked to contact officials in one of the following ways:
The annual celebration will feature wagon rides to cider making and sheepdog herding.
MINNETRISTA, Minn — Celebrate the changing of the seasons at Gale Woods Farm.
Located on Whaletail Lake in Minnetrista, Gale Woods Farm offers visitors an educational opportunity to gain an understanding of agriculture, food production, and land stewardship.
Fall Fest will be celebrated Sunday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The annual celebration will feature wagon rides to cider making and sheepdog herding.
Admission is free as is parking which is available throughout the park.
The mocktail is inspired by pumpkin pie spice and Minnesota Grown apple cider.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — In anticipation of the influx of holiday parties and alcohol consumption that happens in November and December, consumers are increasingly participating in “Sober October.”
A lot of ready-to-drink, new, seasonal, clean non-alcoholic options are in store now, including:
- Nozeco (pronounced like prosecco!) is a sparkling drink made from dealcoholized wine, maintaining the true flavor and experience of wine, without any next-day consequences.
- Sayso looks like a tea sachet that you simply “steep” in cold water (or alcohol).
- Mingle RTD cans are naturally infused, low-calorie botanical beverages in your favorite cocktail flavors, with no artificial sweeteners
- Recess Zero Proof cans are low-sugar, low-calorie mocktails infused with 10mg of naturally occurring caffeine from guayusa and balancing adaptogens like L-theanine and lemon balm.
We’re celebrating Sober October with a mocktail inspired by pumpkin pie spice and one of fall’s best bevvies – fresh pressed, Minnesota Grown apple cider! This is a great drink for sipping at a tailgate, a bonfire or a Halloween porch party.
SPARKLY CIDER-PUMPKIN MOCKTAILS
- 2 tbsp. superfine sugar
- 1 ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice, divided
- pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 lemon wedge
- ½ cup Kowalski’s Minnesota Grown Apple Cider
- ¼ cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tbsp. Kowalski’s Cinnamon or Bourbon Maple Syrup
- 2 tsp. Kowalski’s Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- ½ tsp. Kowalski’s Organic Madagascar Vanilla Extract or Paste
- ice
- non-alcoholic sparkling wine (such as Nozeco) cold, to taste
- fresh Minnesota Grown apple slices, for garnish
- Pour sugar onto a flat-rimmed dish; whisk in 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice and cayenne.
- Moisten the rims of 2 martini or coupe glasses with the lemon wedge; dip the rims in spiced sugar. Set glasses aside.
- Add cider, pumpkin purée, syrup, lemon juice, vanilla and remaining pumpkin pie spice to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice to fill the shaker ⅔ full; shake until the mixture is very cold (about 30 sec.).
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer evenly into the prepared glasses.
- Top each glass evenly with wine; stir gently.
- Garnish mocktails with fresh apple slices.
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