With cannabis legalized, Twin Cities partygoers celebrate end of ‘prohibition’
People across the Twin Cities let out a breath of air on Tuesday – both in relief and with a cloud of smoke. It was the long-awaited first day that it was legal to possess and use cannabis recreationally in Minnesota (for adults 21 and older). “Today in Minnesota, we have lifted a prohibition that […]
White Earth Nation to begin recreational marijuana sales Thursday
Recreational marijuana sales will begin in Mahnomen on the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota at 10 a.m. Thursday, according to a late afternoon press release from the White Earth Reservation Business Committee. The White Earth Nation legalized adult-use recreational cannabis just days ago through a council vote Friday afternoon. The Waabigwan Mashkiki dispensary opened […]
Activist: Automatically expunging cannabis convictions is step toward equity, but ‘not far enough’
Tens of thousands of Minnesotans are getting past drug crimes wiped from public record, thanks to the same law that legalized recreational cannabis on Tuesday. Low-level marijuana convictions are being automatically expunged by law enforcement, and higher-level sentences will be reviewed by a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension-led expungement board. Elizer Darris — community leader, business […]
‘It’s about time’: Celebration marks Red Lake Nation’s recreational cannabis dispensary opening
The sun peeked around rolling thunder clouds as people from other counties and neighboring states arrived at Red Lake Nation’s cannabis dispensary to participate in the opening day of legal cannabis in Minnesota. People passionate about cannabis brought camping chairs and coffee mugs and waited in line. The mood outside the dispensary was celebratory, as […]
Cannabis in Minnesota: What’s legal Aug. 1 and what’s not?
Minnesota’s new recreational cannabis law goes into effect on Aug. 1, though many of the details and some provisions will take months to roll out. Effective immediately, people age 21 and older can possess, use and grow cannabis under certain conditions without breaking any Minnesota laws. MPR News host Angela Davis talked about what’s allowed, […]
Withering heat is more common, but getting AC is still a struggle in public housing
People shop for air conditioners during a heat wave last week in New York City. Many people who live in public housing can’t afford such units or the utility bills that come with them — and there’s no federal requirement for air conditioning. Spencer Platt/Getty Images When deadly heat hit the Pacific Northwest two years […]
Minnesota cannabis businesses hope to plant the seed for home growing
A day before the new lounge and ground-floor dispensary at Grounded Gardens was set to open, owner Bridgette Pinder showed off hemp-derived THC products and hemp plants that’ll soon be available for customers. Starting Tuesday, Minnesotans 21 and older will be allowed to use, possess and grow marijuana. But vendors in the state won’t be […]
Recreational cannabis is now legal in Minnesota. Here’s what we know
Cannabis is now legal for adults 21 and older to use and possess in Minnesota, making it the 23rd state in the country to legalize cannabis for recreational use. The first dispensary selling marijuana for recreational use is now open and selling to people on the Red Lake Nation in north-central Minnesota. Here’s what we […]
Fergus Falls nonprofit to help forgive medical debt for 3,700 Minnesotans
Beginning Aug. 7, about 3,700 Minnesotans can expect a pink envelope in the mail that says: “Congratulations, your medical debt has been retired and we have notified the credit bureaus that this debt has been extinguished.” That’s according to Jeff Smedsrud. He’s the managing director of CA Foundation, a Fergus Falls nonprofit that made a […]
Aquatic group works to offer year-round pool access to north Minneapolis
Since north Minneapolis’ only public indoor pool closed in 2007, a group formed a swimming and triathlon team to ensure young people continued to swim. Now the organization V3 Sports is on the verge of restoring year-round access to a pool, and more. V3 has long worked to close the racial gap in swimming safety. […]