Minnesota Senate rejects legalizing recreational marijuana

Mar 12, 20190

Photos by Glen Stubbe – Star Tribune count

Jeremy Moen, top left, reacted to testimony against legalization; top right, bill author Sen. Melisa Franzen listened as legalization advocate Marcus Harcus spoke. Plymouth Police Chief Mike Goldstein, above right, and GOP senators, above left, were opposed.

Republicans in the Minnesota Senate voted down a measure Monday to legalize marijuana for recreational use, abruptly ending debate on the subject - for now.

State Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, who gave the bill a hearing as chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, said after the 6-3 vote that testimony from law enforcement, health experts and former Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger persuaded him that legalization is a bad idea.

http://www.startribune.com/republican-committee-to-hear-marijuana-legalization-bill-monday-in-minnesota-senate/506978532/