Legislative Update - November 19, 2019

Dear Neighbors,  

Don’t forget that tomorrow evening is the Saint Peter Community Conversation on Cannabis. This is an incredibly important conversation for us to have, and I’m thankful we’ll be joined by Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, Assistant Senate Minority Leader Jeff Hayden, Sen. Nick Frentz, and Rep. Jack Considine at Gustavus Adolphus College. 

Eleven states and Washington D.C. have legalized cannabis for adult use, and when we return for the 2020 Legislative Session, the process for crafting Minnesota’s brand of cannabis legislation begins. Several of these community conversations have already taken place throughout the state, but I wanted to make sure our community was included as well. I hope to see you tomorrow evening with all of your questions, comments, and concerns, as we work to find the best way to write laws for adult-use cannabis that are safe, responsible, and beneficial for Minnesota. 

Protecting the Minnesota River Basin

I had an amazing time yesterday at the Minnesota River Basin Ag-Urban Partnership Forum. This last session, Sen. Nick Frentz and I introduced legislation that would have brought together stakeholders to improve the water quality in the Minnesota River and its tributaries, and ultimately I want to thank the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Mankato City Manager Pat Hentges for doing just that. Our cities, ag groups, and environmental advocates are coming together to take on this incredible challenge, but I know it’s something we can accomplish when we work together. When I reached out to voters in 2018, the environment and specifically water quality came up many times. I look at this meeting as a first step towards better results, but also a campaign commitment towards bettered environmental stewardship. 

You can read more about the forum here.

Stay In Touch

Regardless of whether or not you’re able to make it to our cannabis event tomorrow, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments you may have on that or any other legislative issue. You can reach me at (651) 296-8634, or at rep.jeff.brand@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.

Your partner in Saint Paul,

Jeff Brand
State Representative, District 19A