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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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Enrollment moves upward in Universities of Wisconsin system
MADISON, Wis. — Overall enrollment in the Universities of Wisconsin system’s four-year schools ticked upward this fall compared with last year, data released Tuesday shows.
The system released enrollment numbers as of the 10th day of the 2024 fall semester. They show overall enrollment stood at 164,431 students, up 1.2% from the 10th day of the 2023 fall semester.
UW-Green Bay saw 975 new students for a 10.5% increase in enrollment, the largest percentage jump among the 13 four-year schools. Enrollment at UW-Madison, the system’s flagship university, increased nearly 3%. UW-Superior, the most remote campus, in Douglas County in far northwestern Wisconsin, saw a 3.6% increase.
Five schools saw their enrollment shrink, including Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Parkside, Platteville and Stout.
Overall enrollment at the system’s two-year branch campuses fell 22%. The most dramatic drop-off was at UW-Stevens Point’s Marshfield campus, where enrollment plunged nearly 45% compared with fall 2023.
UW officials have blamed declining numbers of high school graduates and more graduates eschewing college for the workforce for faltering enrollment.
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Student at Anoka Technical College stabbed with screwdriver
An adult male was arrested after the incident.
ANOKA, Minn. — A student was stabbed in the hand at Anoka Technical College Tuesday, authorities said.
A spokesperson with the Anoka Police Department told KARE 11 that officers were dispatched early in the afternoon. At the school, it was learned a student was stabbed in the hand with a screwdriver.
An adult male was taken into custody, officials said. The student was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Anoka Technical College said in a statement that safety and security is the top priority for everyone on campus:
Just before noon today, an incident occurred between two students at Anoka Technical College, in the automotive lab, resulting in one of the students receiving an injury to the hand. The Anoka Police Department responded and took the suspect into custody. The victim was treated by on-campus security officers before going to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
At Anoka Technical College, our top priority is the safety and security of everyone on campus. This incident is being investigated by the college and local law enforcement. Support services are available for students and employees impacted by this situation.
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BCA identifies man shot by police in St. Paul
The BCA said the 40-year-old man was still hospitalized at Regions Hospital on Tuesday.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Police have identified the man shot and injured by officers after pointing a gun at police on Monday evening.
According to a press release from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Earl Bennett, 40, was shot by police near Allianz Field.
Officials said Bennett does not have a permanent address but has been staying in the Twin Cities Metro area.
Bennett is hospitalized in critical but stable condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
The incident started just before 7:45 p.m. Monday when police were called to the 400 block of Pierce Street for reports of shots fired. Officers found a man with a handgun when they responded to the scene.
St. Paul police spokesman Sgt. Mike Ernster told reporters on Monday night that when officers approached the man, he put the gun to his own head. Police began to negotiate with the man for a peaceful surrender, but he reportedly refused to drop the weapon, instead walking south on Snelling Avenue.
Police attempted to use “less lethal” means to subdue Bennett, but when he lifted his handgun and pointed it at police, multiple officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect.
The BCA said it is in the early stages of its investigation.
All the officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
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