Governor Tim Walz and marijuana

The governor will have an influence on federal cannabis policy – ​​so where does he stand?

Minnesota Governor Walz has stepped into the national spotlight today to run as the vice presidential candidate in the Election Day race. With the Democratic Party upended by Biden's resignation, Walz will be the new vice presidential candidate and take a leadership role in policy decisions. He has a warm, folksy attitude, but what about Governor Tim Walz and marijuana?

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The cannabis industry is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the reorganization. It will be a major change at the federal level for the industry. While consumers are embracing marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes, the industry is struggling. The mainly small family-run businesses have had to battle the black market, face various difficult regulations and no tax benefits whatsoever. The federal government is on the verge of a reorganization and the new president will oversee the next steps regarding cannabis.

The Minnesota State Legislature voted to legalize marijuana, and Walz was a supporter. As usual, there was considerable back-and-forth and concessions, but legalization for recreational use was passed in the summer of 2023. But as usual, the implementation process is taking longer and the first dispensaries are opening. Currently, the state has 17 open and continues to expand.

Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years, retiring as a command sergeant major. When he entered the House of Representatives in 2007, he was the highest-ranking military officer in Congress. This would make him an advocate for medical marijuana treatment for veterans, particularly in the treatment of PTSD.

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There was one small problem, though: Walz appointed the owner of a cannabis shop as the state's top cannabis regulator. She was forced to resign the next day after the Star Tribune reported that the dispensary had sold illegal products and had federal tax liens and judgments against it. Minnesota's nonpartisan government watchdog, the Office of the Legislative Auditor, later found that the governor's office had failed to complete some standard background check steps before making the appointment.

Walz also appears to appeal to younger voters, which is crucial for cannabis as Generation Z turns away from alcohol and becomes more interested in marijuana.