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Dear Neighbors,
Thank you to everyone who came out for our first two Be Heard On Cannabis events in Duluth and Minneapolis. We had productive, informative conversations and heard from a wide range of perspectives.
We heard from people who had been held back in life by low-level cannabis crimes, and from some who struggled to legally access treatment for PTSD or chronic pain. There were others who had concerns about what legalization would mean for mental health and addiction but agreed that a regulated market is better than a widespread, illegal one.
You can read a recap of our events from the Minnesota Daily here, and Fox21 here.
Join Us This Week!
If you weren't able to join us in Duluth or Minneapolis, we'll be on the road this week in St. Paul on October 10 and St. Cloud on October 12.
St. Paul "Be Heard on Cannabis" Community Conversation
When: Thursday, October 10, 7:00 PM
Where: Hallie Q. Brown Community Center 270 Kent St, Saint Paul
Who: Hosted by Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, Assistant Senate Minority Leader Jeff Hayden, Sen. Sandy Pappas, Rep. Alice Hausman, Rep. John Lesch, Rep. Rena Moran, Rep. Dave Pinto, Rep. Jay Xiong, and a Community Leader Panel with Sina Black, Andrea Brown, and Julia Decker
St. Cloud "Be heard on cannabis" Community Conversation
When: Saturday, October 12, 1:30 PM
Where: St. Cloud Public Library Mississippi Community Room, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud
Who: Hosted by Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, Assistant Senate Minority Leader Jeff Hayden, and Rep. Dan Wolgamott, with special guest Jeremy Sankey, founder of Minnesota Veterans for Cannabis
You can always find the most up-to-date event information here.
Progress at the Federal Level
ICYMI - In states that have already legalized cannabis, barriers to banking and insurance have made it difficult for small businesses and people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system to benefit from cannabis legalization.
There has been almost no progress on full legalization at the federal level, but last week, the bipartisan SAFE Banking Act is making its way through Congress. It passed the House by a vote of 321 to 103. If signed into law, the SAFE Banking Act would bar federal regulators from interfering with or punishing financial institutions that work with marijuana-based businesses.
How you can help
1. Come to our events, and bring a friend who's undecided or wants to learn more about cannabis.
2. Talk to us on social! Consider sharing an event, or a post on our Facebook page.
3. Talk to your State Senator or State Representative. Not sure who that is? Find them here.
4. Visit our website to take the House Speaker's survey and find more events.
As always, don't hesitate to reach out with questions and suggestions!
Sincerely,
Ryan Winkler
Majority Leader
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