Dear neighbors, 

Our current cannabis laws are doing more harm than good. Minnesota’s medical program isn’t working well for many veterans and people with PTSD, cancer, and other illnesses, and enforcing low-level cannabis offenses has created significant racial disparities in our criminal justice system.  

Yesterday, some of my House DFL colleagues introduced a plan to safely and responsibly legalize adult use cannabis in Minnesota. The legislation creates a regulated cannabis market and addresses legitimate concerns around youth access, public health, and road safety. It would help veterans and Minnesotans with serious illnesses get the treatment they need legally and affordably and begin to repair the legacy of racial injustice, allowing law enforcement to focus on more serious issues. I am proud to be a co-author of the bill and look forward to seeing it progress.  

LCCMR Update  

The House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee discussed legislation that invests $70.8 million from Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund today. The bill, which includes recommendations from the bipartisan Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), will help protect, preserve, and enhance our state’s air, water, land, wildlife, and other natural resources. It also provides critical funding for environmental education initiatives, invasive species management, and more. I’m happy to report that the bill passed with a 17-1 vote. You can watch a video of the hearing here.  

We also heard from Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, a nonprofit organization that engages youth and young adults in programs and projects that improve access to outdoor recreation, provide habitat restoration on public lands, restore and protect water quality, and respond to natural disasters. Mark Murphy, the organization’s Executive Director, shared an overview of their work and priorities.  

Convservation Corps is currently accepting applications for youth positions (intended for people ages 15-18) and AmeriCorps positions (for those 18-25). You can view open positions and apply here. 

On Friday, Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan announced appointments to the LCCMR Trust Fund Citizen Selection Committee. This group identifies and recommends Minnesotans to be LCCMR members. You can find more information about the LCCMR Trust Fund Citizen Selection Committee here.  

Upcoming Events and Activities 

State of All the Bees 

On February 24 at 5:30 p.m., the University of Minnesota Bee Lab is hosting State of All the Bees, a free event to discuss the world of bees and what the Bee Lab team is working on. If you’d like to participate, you can find more information and register here.  

Please feel free to share your questions, ideas, and feedback. You can reach me at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or 651-296-6828.  

Sincerely,  

Rick Hansen  
State Representative