Marijuana Bill Passes 9 Committees in House, 6 in Senate, Several Pending

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com

612-460-5851

A bill to legalize recreational cannabis in Minnesota that was introduced January 4 has passed nine committees in the House and six in the senate at the state’s legislature. The state had a divided government but now a Democrat led majority is paving through legislation that was previously stalled in 2021. The bill would allow anyone 21 or older to recreationally use cannabis and hold up to two ounces in their possession in public spaces, but up to five in a private setting. Edibles would bellowed up to 800 miligrams of THC. Minnesota previously passed medical marijuana use in the legislature, but the law has been criticized for the low number of available dispensaries and the stringent medical requirements early on. The law evolved to allow for more dispensaries and eased the strict conditions that were mostly terminal to more pain related and other conditions. CBD and hemp related products also were recently legalized and are sold in many smokeshops and convenience stores in the state. Medical pot was legal in 2014 and hemp-derived THC and CBD by June 2022.

The new bill still faces some Democrat and Republican pushback and has so far seen a half dozen ammendments. Former Saint Peter City Councilmember who has been elected DFL Representative, supports the law.

“Right now, there are 14- and 16- and 18-year-olds who are purchasing these drugs from sellers who sell fentanyl, meth and cocaine,” Brand said.

Brand believes these products can be regulated and made safer than what is being offered on the black market.

Smoker’s Choice in Saint Peter, New Ulm Smoke Shop, Freedom

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Saint Peter School Board Meeting

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com

612-460-5851

The Saint Peter School Board met on Thursday, February 23 at 7 p.m. at the Governor’s Room in the Saint Peter Community Center.

The board meeting started with recognition of excellent student performance by fourth grade student Azrii Alas, North Elementary for the student spotlight portion of the meeting. She had multiple nominations from second, third and fourth grade. North Elementary Principal Darin Doherty made the introduction to Alas to the board. Doherty and Alas met through the school’s online portal called Seasaw to create a presentation for the board, in which Alas answered some prepared questions.

“I know 110 percent, she has earned this,” Doherty said. “Each one of her teachers, like all the way through North, like really recog-