Almanac North | Core Conversations: The Aftermath of MN Legalizing Marijuana | Season 2024

>> PROGRAM TO THIS SPECIAL ADDITION OF ALMANAC NORTH.

I'M THE HOST OF THE CORE CONVERSATION ON LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

I HAVE FOLLOWED THE DECADES LONG DEBATE FOR CANNABIS LEGALIZATION AND I'M EXCITED TO BRING THIS TO CORE CONVERSATIONS, A SHOW THAT LOOKS AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES AND TOPICS IN OUR REGION.

AN EFFORT TO DIG DEEPER AND EDUCATE VIEWERS ON THE SUBJECT.

TONIGHT'S BROADCAST WILL SHOWCASE EXPERT PERSPECTIVES FROM STATE LEGISLATORS, BUSINESS OWNERS AND EDUCATORS.

WE WILL DELVE INTO THE DETAILS OF THE NEW LAW AND THE RIPPLE EFFECTS IT HAS ALREADY HAD AFTER PUTTING IT INTO EFFECT ONE MONTH AGO.

HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE LANGUAGE OF BILL HF 108 IS MINNESOTA HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE, A REPUBLICAN, AND MINNESOTA HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE, A DEMOCRAT FROM DULUTH.

WELCOME, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND OFFERING YOUR PERSPECTIVES.

REPRESENTATIVE, COULD YOU MAY BE SET THE FOUNDATION AND TELL US WHAT THIS BILL LOOKS LIKE FOR FOLKS AT HOME?

REP. KOZLOWSKI: THIS BILL IS ABOUT LEGALIZING CANNABIS FOR MANY MINNESOTANS FOR YEARS AND YEARS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IMPACTED.

THIS IS ABOUT RACIAL EQUITY AND ENDING THAT CRIMINALIZATION.

IT'S ABOUT ECONOMIC EQUITY AND MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS ARE ABLE TO ENTER THE WORKPLACE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS FOLKS, FOLKS IMPACTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THRIVE AND BE PART OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL PUSH TO BUILD UP THE INDUSTRY.

IT'S ALSO ABOUT MAKING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MORE JUST.

WE HAVE AUTOMATIC EXPUNGEMENT, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT FOR MANY OF THE HARMS THAT WE DON'T HAVE BEEN DONE HERE IN MINNESOTA, WHICH HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF RACIAL DISPARITY FOR BLACK MINNESOTANS ARE FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED AND BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED FOR POSSESSION.

SO THERE'S COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT DOLLARS THAT WILL GO BACK INTO RESTORING COMMUNITIES, WHETHER THAT'S HOUSING, EDUCATION EQUITY OF T'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS ARE ABLE TO BE A PART OF A WELL REGULATED, SAFE MARKET, AND ALSO BE ABLE TO USE -- MAKE THE DECISION TO USE MAARJA: WHAT THEY WISH.

MAARJA:THE PASSING OF THIS LEGISLATION HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN ON THE CUSP OF LEGALIZATION FOR A WILD.

THIS ONE FINALLY MADE IT THROUGH.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ALLOWED IT TO BREAK THROUGH THIS TIME?

REP. KOZLOWSKI: I WOULD SAY THAT MINNESOTA HAS BEEN -- HOME TO MANY GRASSROOT ADVOCATES FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT IT'S TIME FOR US TO END PROHIBITION.

AND WHO HAVE BEEN MAKING THIS MOVE FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

I WOULD SAY THIS YEAR WE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR, COMING INTO THIS SESSION, THAT THIS WAS THE YEAR, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE MORE LIKE THE FOURTH STATE, BRINGING THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

WE ARE THE 23RD STATE TO LEGALIZE IN THE COUNTRY AND WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF IT AND HAVE MINNESOTANS TO THINK.

MAARJA: I KNOW YOU VOTED AGAINST THE BILL, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHY YOU OBJECTED TO THIS BILL?

REP. IGO: THE CONVERSATION FOR LEGALIZATION HAS BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE.

WE ARE THE 23RD STATE TO DO THIS AND IT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT ISSUE.

THE WAY I WAS APPROACHING LEGISLATION IS, IS IT GOING TO WORK HERE FOR MINNESOTA?

IS IT GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WILL KEEP KIDS SAFE?

IS IT SOMETHING THAT WILL BE WELL REGULATED?

ON THE HOUSE FLOOR DEBATE THE CHIEF AUTHORS SPOKE ON THE BILL SAYING THERE WERE LOTS OF ISSUES WITH THE BILL, THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF FIXES BUT TODAY WE NEED TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.

IN MY ROLE AS A LEGISLATOR IT'S TO MAKE SURE WE PASS GOOD LEGISLATION TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

WATCHING THE NEWS WE STARTED TO SEE THOSE ISSUES COME UP.

THAT'S WHY I OBJECTED TO THE BILL.

IT NEEDED MORE CONVERSATION TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT RIGHT.

WE HAVE RED FLAGS POPPING UP ALL OVER THE STATE AND THAT'S WHY I VOTED NO.

MAARJA: YOU MENTIONED THAT IT'S NOT REALLY A RED OR BLUE ISSUE, AND WITH THIS BILL, IT WASN'T DOWN PARTY LINES.

I THINK A DEMOCRAT VOTED AGAINST AND A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THAT WAS?

IT GOT SUPPORT AMONGST BOTH?

REP. KOZLOWSKI: THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

IF I RECALL THE VOTE WAS SOMETHING ON THE LINES OF 72-53.

IT WAS A BIPARTISAN BILL FROM THE BEGINNING AND TO ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THIS BILL TRAVELED THROUGH 16 DIFFERENT COMMITTEES ON BOTH THE HOUSE SIDE IN THE SENATE SIDE.

I JOKED WITH THE BILL AUTHORS THAT SEEING YOU IN EVERY SINGLE PLACE THAT I MATT.

THAT WAS A GOOD THING FOR MINNESOTA AND I THINK WE HEARD FROM OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE THAT MINNESOTA IS READY AND WE'VE BEEN READY, AND WE CAN DO THIS IN A WAY THAT STRIKES THE BALANCE WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC SAFETY, WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PREVENTION AND SAFETY FOR OUR YOUTH, AND WE CAN ALSO SUPPORT AND END THIS HARMS THAT SHOULD'VE NEVER BEEN CRIMINALIZED, AND REWRITE THE STORY FOR THE INJUSTICES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE, AND WE COULD DO IT ALL WHILE GENERATING TAX REVENUE TO PAY FOR AND SUPPORT THE THINGS WE KNOW THAT WILL RESTORE THE COMMUNITY.

MAARJA: WHERE IT -- WILL THERE BE FIXES TO LEGISLATION ACCESSION?

REP. KOZLOWSKI: I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF CONVERSATION AROUND, EVEN THE SIMPLE THINGS THAT THIS IS AN OVER 300 PAGE PIECE OF LEGISLATION, AND IN TERMS OF GOING BACK, I WAS JUST TALKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IT'S ONE OF THE BIG POPULATIONS OF MINNESOTANS WHO WE KNOW NEED ACCESS TO THIS REALLY IMPORTANT, HEALING MEDICINE FOR PTSD, FOR SUBSTANCE USE.

BUT BECAUSE IT IS CURRENTLY ILLEGAL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL STILL, THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE DATE THAT WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT WE CAN MOVE THAT FROM 2025 AND BRING IT TO EARLY 2024 WHEN WE GO BACK TO SESSION.

A LOT OF IT IS AROUND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WE KIND OF RAN OUT OF RUNWAY TO CONTINUE TO TACKLE SOME OF THOSE BIGGER ISSUES TO MAKE OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM JUST.

AND THAT'S AROUND POSSESSION, LOOKING UP THE THRESHOLDS WE KNOW THAT WITH SOME OF THE WAYS THAT WE REALLY WORKED WITH FOLKS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, THERE WILL STILL BE ISSUES WITH LOCAL CONTROL IN TERMS OF WHERE YOU CAN SMOKE AND WHO IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO LICENSES AND BE A PART OF THIS INDUSTRY.

THERE'S A LOT OF FIXES WE NEED TO GO FIX TO MAKE SURE WE GO FURTHER.

MAARJA: ARE THERE AMENDMENTS OR CHANGES THAT IF IT WAS ADDED WOULD GET YOUR YES VOTE FOR THE LEGISLATION?

REP. IGO: THERE ARE DEFINITELY THINGS WE NEED TO DO IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THERE ARE TOO MANY THINGS TO TALK ABOUT IN THAT TIME.

PROPER REGULATION IS SOMETHING I AGREE WITH WHERE WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE WANT A WELL REGULATED, SAFE AND SECURE SYSTEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS IS, WE TALK ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL.

COLORADO WAS THE FIRST STATE TO DO SO AND THEY MADE SURE TO HAVE LOCAL CONTROL.

WE FORGOT ABOUT THESE FACTORS.

MAKING SURE WE KEEP THE LAWS ON THE BOOKS FOR MINORS OVER THE AGE OF 21.

YOU CAN STILL GET IN TROUBLE FOR DRINKING ALCOHOL OVER THE DUTCH UNDER THE AGE OF 21.

A LOT OF THOSE THINGS WERE SCRUBBED.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT RESPONSIBLE ADULTS ARE HAVING ACCESS TO THE LONG PROCESS.

I THINK WE HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL LOOP OF THE FIX WITH THE ABILITY TO GROW AT HOME AND SELL AT FARMERS MARKETS THAT PEOPLE ARE SPECULATING ABOUT.

ALL TYPES OF MINNESOTANS WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS SAFE AND REGULATED.

IT'S A LONG WAY TO GO BUT I'M INTERESTED TO LISTEN AND LEARN AND WORK ON THOSE THINGS.

AS THE BILL SITS IN LANGUAGE SHOULD -- LANGUISHES, THIS IS AND WHAT MINNESOTANS WANT AS WE HEAR FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LOCAL COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE A RUNWAY BEFORE WE SEE THIS PRODUCT COME OUT THE DOOR IN MINNESOTA, WHICH WILL HAVE ITS OWN PROBLEMS WITH THE BLACK MARKET HAVING ILLEGAL.

THOSE ARE THINGS WE SHOULD'VE HAD LONGER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT.

MAARJA: YOU MENTIONED THE EXPANSIONS IN THE TILL, CAN YOU EXPLAIN ABOUT THAT AND THE PEOPLE THAT IMPACTS THEIR CRIMINAL RECORDS, HOW DO THEY GO ABOUT THAT?

REP. KOZLOWSKI: GOING BACK TO RACIAL EQUITY, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE BILL FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE MISDEMEANOR LEVEL, THEIR RECORDS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXPUNGED UNTIL THE PROCESS HAS BEEN KICK STARTED, AND THERE WILL BE NOTIFICATIONS AND OUTREACH TO LET FOLKS KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF COLLATERAL DAMAGES OR CONSEQUENCES THAT COME FROM HAVING THESE RECORDS ON YOUR HISTORY.

SO IT COULD IMPACT YOU BEING ABLE TO GET A MORTGAGE.

IT COULD IMPACT YOU BEING ABLE TO ACCESS FINANCIAL AID AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS.

FOR THE HIGHER LEVEL FELONY, IT WILL GO THROUGH THE CANNABIS EXPUNGEMENT BOARD WHERE THEY WILL LOOK AT CASE, SHOULD WE RE-SENTENCE AND REDUCE SENTENCES.

MAARJA: JUST HAVE A FEW MINUTES LEFT, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE FOR CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES MOVING FORWARD AS WE GET FURTHER ALONG INTO THIS LEGALIZATION.

REP. IGO: I THINK, AS ANYTHING, WHEN IT IS A NEW MARKET, WE WILL SEE THE ECONOMY BEND AND MOVE AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SUPPORTING BUSINESSES BUT ALSO KEEPING LOCAL COMMUNITIES -- I THINK WE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN FROM OTHER STATES.

A LOT OF US NEED TO TAKE A DEEP DIVE AND DO THAT AS LEGISLATORS.

WHEN WE HAVE RED AND BLUE STATES DOING THINGS AND WORKING TOGETHER, IT'S A WAY FOR US TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AND DO A GOOD THING.

BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE SYSTEM IS REGULATED.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT IN KEEPING KIDS SAFE.

WE ARE TALKING A LOT ABOUT GETTING RID OF JEWELS AND T6.

THC DEVICES LOOK SIMILAR.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE PASS THE SAME LAWS IN EFFECT.

BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AGREE.

THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES AHEAD, BUT THE CORK IS OUT OF THE BOTTLE, NOW WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WORKS HERE AND KEEPS IT ALL SAFE AND SECURE IN THE ECONOMY CAN PROSPER WITH IT.

>> I THINK OF THIS AS AN EXAMPLE OF, WE HEARD FROM MINNESOTANS THAT THEY WANT US TO WORK TOGETHER AND FIND SOLUTIONS AND THIS IS ONE WE WILL CONTINUE CONVERSATIONS BOTH AT LOCAL LEVELS IN STATE AND NATIONAL CONVERSATION.

WE ARE SETTING UP AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY AND LOOKING AT MEETING THE OFFICE MANAGEMENT, WE WILL SEE, IN THE COMING WEEKS, A DIRECTOR NAMED, AND THAT WILL LEAD TO THE SELECTION OF THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL EQUITY AND LICENSING AND RULEMAKING.

JUST AS FOLKS ARE PAYING ATTENTION, THERE'S A LOT THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS AND WE SEE DISPENSARIES OPEN AND THAT COULD FEEL FRUSTRATING.

BUT TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE LOOKED TO SO MANY STATES THAT HAVEN'T DONE A GREAT, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT TIME.

IN THE MEANTIME, WHAT'S WONDERFUL AS WE HAVE THE TRAVEL COMPACTS THAT OFFERS SOVEREIGNTY AND HAVING THE TRIBES OPEN ON THE RECREATIONAL AND MEDICAL SIDE.

WE HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME AS OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HAPPENS IN THE RULEMAKING PROCESS.

I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT WHERE YOU CAN SAY NOT -- SIGN UP FOR ACTION ALERTS.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE YOUR VOICES HEARD, WHETHER YOU ARE AN INDUSTRY, ENTREPRENEUR, SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN IMPACTED.

MAARJA: THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW TODAY AND ALL YOUR EXPERTISE AND WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE CONVERSATION ON THIS AHEAD.

BILL HF100 A MAY BE THE FIRST BILL TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS IN THE STATE.

BUT BACK IN 2014 THE MINNESOTA HOUSE PASSED THE MINNESOTA MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT.

THAT BILL MADE IT LEGAL FOR PATIENTS WITH CONDITIONS SUCH AS CANCER, GLAUCOMA, EPILEPSY, HIV/AIDS, ALS, AND CROHNS DISEASE.

TO FACILITATE THE MINNESOTA MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT, THE STATE CREATED THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE FOR PATIENTS.

TODAY WITH THE RECENT PASSAGE OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL CANNABIS WILL BE RE-STRUCTERING INTO THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT AND REGULATE BOTH MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL USE IN THE STATE.

PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY AND VIDEOGRAPHER ISAAC QUICK TRAVELED TO MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HEADQUARTERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MEDICAL SIDE OF CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA, AND WHAT THIS FUTURE DEPARTMENT WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> THE OFFICE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS IS REALLY IN PLACE TO SERVE PATIENTS.

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING PATIENTS REGISTERED IN THE PROGRAM ONCE THEY HAVE VISITED THEIR HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER.

THEY ARE CERTIFIED FOR A PARTICULAR QUALIFYING CONDITION, AND THEN WE CONNECT THEM TO OUR MANUFACTURERS WHERE THEY CAN PURCHASE MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR THEIR PARTICULAR CONDITION.

THE LEGISLATION PASSED IN 2014 IN OUR PROGRAM BEGAN SEEING PATIENTS IN 2015.

IN THE FIRST YEAR WE HAD A THOUSAND PATIENTS AND NOW WE ARE JUST UNDER 40,000.

IT'S BEEN A STEADY CLIMB OF INTEREST IN THE PROGRAM AND AS FOLKS GET MORE FAMILIAR OF WHAT THE PROGRAM IS AND WHAT THE PRODUCT CAN DO FOR THEM, POTENTIALLY, IT IS LEGALIZE, IT REDUCES THE STIGMA AND PEOPLE BECOME MORE OPEN TO MAYBE GIVING IT A TRY.

LUCINA BOTH WITH PATIENTS AND ALSO HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS WHO ARE CERTIFIERS IN THE PROGRAM AND THAT NUMBER CONTINUES TO CLIMB.

WE HAVE ABOUT 2500 HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS WHO CERTIFY FOR OUR PROGRAM AS WELL.

LEGALIZATION WILL BE FOR PEOPLE 21 AND UP.

OUR PROGRAM IS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AND A NUMBER OF PATIENTS AT HER 18, 19, 20 IN THOSE PATIENTS WILL NEED ACCESS TO THEIR MEDICATION.

WE EXPECT TO SEE A DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS BECAUSE SOME FOLKS WILL THINK IT'S TOO BURDENSOME TO GET CERTIFIED FOR THE PROGRAM, BUT THERE'S ALSO BENEFITS FOR REMAINING IN THE PROGRAM AS WELL.

ONE OF THE BIGGER BENEFITS IS THAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SEEING A PHARMACIST WHEN THEY COME INTO THE PROGRAM, THEY ARE WORKING WITH THAT TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT THE CONDITION AND SYMPTOMS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO RELIEVE, THEY ALSO WORK WITH IDENTIFYING WHAT MEDICATIONS WERE BEST.

MOST HAVE A COMBINATION OF PRODUCTS SO THEY MIGHT TAKE A CAPSULE OR TABLET AND USE A VAPE OR FLOUR FOR BREAKTHROUGH PAIN.

SO THEY VALUE THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PHARMACIST.

THE MEDICAL CANNABIS PRODUCTS ARE TAX-FREE ON THE ADULT USE CIDER THE RECREATIONAL SIDE.

BOTH ARE SUBJECT TO SALES TAX IN ADDITIONAL RECEIPT TAX OF 10%.

ON JULY 1, THE PATIENT FEE WENT AWAY SO WE HAD AN ANNUAL FEE OF 200 DOLLARS WAS REDUCED TO 250 OF FOLKS AROUND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

THERE IS NO FEE ANY LONGER.

ANOTHER BARRIER THAT HAS BEEN ELIMINATED IS VETERANS HAVE THEY RECEIVE THEIR CARE THROUGH THE V.A., THAT IS A FEDERAL HEALTH SYSTEM, AND MARIJUANA IS STILL ILLEGAL FEDERALLY AS A SCHEDULE ONE SUBSTANCE.

V.A.

DOES NOT ALLOW PROVIDERS TO CERTIFY PATIENTS FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAMS.

SO THEY HAVE HAD AN EXTRA BARRIER.

THE NEW LAW REQUIRES THAT OUR PROGRAM SET UP A SEPARATE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR VETERANS WHO RECEIVE THEIR CARE AT THE JANUARY 1.

>> 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF GROUP -- AGRICULTURE IS THE INCUBATOR ORGANIZATION FOR CANNABIS.

THEY ARE GETTING FOUNDATIONAL SYSTEM SET UP, HIRING HR, SETTING UP FINANCIAL SYSTEMS.

HIRING THE FIRST DIRECTOR.

AND ONCE IT IS SET UP IT WILL SPIN UP ON ITS OWN ED IN MARCH OF 2025 IT WILL MOVE TO THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS AND WILL BECOME THE DIVISION OF CANNABIS.

THE INTENTION OF SETTING UP AN ORGANIZATION OR AN UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION IS SHARING RESOURCES.

I THINK THAT WHEREVER WE CAN CONSOLIDATE AND BE MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE, IT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.

ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING PARTS OF MY JOB IS HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH PATIENTS OR PARENTS OF PATIENTS OR CAREGIVERS.

LOTS OF STORIES FROM PARENTS WHERE THEY SAY MY CHILD HAS BEEN ABLE TO GET GREAT SLEEP.

I HAVE MY SON BACK AND IT'S REALLY HEARTWARMING TO KNOW WE CAN SERVE PEOPLE IN THAT WAY.

MAARJA: LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN MAKING CHANGES TO THEY OPERATE.

HERE TO SPEAK WITH US ABOUT THOSE CHANGES ARE ST. LOUIS COUNTY SHERIFF GORDON RAMSAY.

CHIEF MIKE CEYNOWA WITH THE DULUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND CAPTAIN PAUL WINTERSCHEIDT WITH THE SUPERIOR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WELCOME, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

CHIEF, WE WILL PROBABLY START WITH YOU.

LOOKING AT THE COUNTYWIDE LEVEL, WHAT DOES IT MAKE WITH THE LEGALIZATION?

SHERIFF RAMSAY: ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE TALK ABOUT IS WHAT KIND OF ZONING WE SHOULD HAVE IN REGARDS TO WHERE SHOULD SHOPS BE ALLOWED IN THE COUNTY, AS WELL AS EXAMINING THE LAW AND WHAT IS IT MEAN FOR OUR DEPUTIES AS FAR AS ENFORCEMENT, HOW SHOULD THEY HANDLE DIFFERENCE OF SHEET DUST SITUATIONS.

THE LAWS COMPLEX.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO LEARN ABOUT IT AND GIVE THEM THE EDUCATION.

MAARJA: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

CHIEF CEYNOWA: SIMILAR EXPERIENCE FOR THE DULUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE ARE REVIEWING STATUTE, PULLING AND WHAT TRAINING RESOURCES WE CAN FIND, SPEAKING TO CITY AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS ABOUT WHERE THEY THINK THIS LAW LANDS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS AROUND THE USE WITH MOTOR VEHICLES AND DRIVING AND HOW THAT WILL ALL TRANSLATE.

MAARJA: THERE'S A TEST FOR IF YOU ARE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, WHAT IS THERE TO DO FOR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MARIJUANA WIND BEHIND THE WHEEL?

CHIEF CEYNOWA: IT'S REALLY GOING TO COME DOWN TO OBSERVATIONS OF ROAD CONDUCT AS PEOPLE GO DOWN THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS, AND THEN HOW THEY PRESENT WHEN YOU TALK TO THEM BECAUSE THERE ISN'T REALLY A PARTS PER MILLION TEST WITH BLOOD THAT SAYS, THIS PERSON IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

BUT THERE ARE STILL THOSE PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNS THAT WE CAN SEE, COUPLED WITH DRIVING CONDUCT.

I THINK IT WILL TAKE A FEW CLICK -- A FEW CASES TO REALLY ESTABLISH THIS.

MAARJA: YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE IT'S EDUCATING THE DEPARTMENT AND LEARNING FROM THAT, RIGHT?

CAPTAIN, CROSS THE BRIDGE, THINGS ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT, BUT YOU HAVE A VERY FLUID TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN DULUTH AND SUPERIOR.

LEGALIZED IN MINNESOTA, NOT IN WISCONSIN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE SUPERIOR SIDE OF THINGS IN THE SUPERIOR TO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO KIND OF COUNTERACT WITH THIS CHANGE?

>> WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE THAT IN WISCONSIN IT IS STILL ILLEGAL, WE HAVE SOME SPECIFIC LAWS THAT REGULATE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CANNABIS, SO WE TRY TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND THAT SO THAT THEY DON'T ACCIDENTALLY MAKE A MISTAKE AND BRING IT OVER TO WISCONSIN.

MAKING OUR OFFICERS AWARE OF THE CHANGES IN THE LAWS, AND JUST ROLLING WITH IT AND SEEING WHAT HAPPENS.

MAARJA: THIS KIND OF GOES TO ALL OF YOU, YOUR DAY TODAY OF YOUR OFFICERS ON YOUR CRUISE, HOW HAS THIS LEGALIZATION CHANGED THE OFFICERS ON THE GROUND?

>> I WOULD SAY IT HASN'T REALLY CHANGED THAT MUCH.

OBVIOUSLY, THE LAW JUST WENT INTO EFFECT LAST MONTH, THEIR DAILY OPERATIONS, THE DAILY THINGS GOING ON REALLY HASN'T CHANGED.

>> SAME.

AS THIS KIND OF CAME TO PASS, AND THERE WAS MORE COMMUNITY, WE LOOK BACK AT OUR DATA FOR THE LAST 36 MONTHS, THE LAST THREE YEARS, AND WE ARE UNDER 30 CITATIONS FOR PETTY MISDEMEANORS, SMALL AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA, UNDER 30 CITATIONS FOR POSSESSION OF MOTOR VEHICLE, AND FOR FELONIES THE LAST THREE YEARS HAS ONLY BEEN EIGHT OR NINE.

SO IT HASN'T REALLY BEEN A FOCUS OR SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN FINDING OR CHARGING.

I WORRY ABOUT THE NOVELTY NOW THAT IT'S LEGALIZED, THAT PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN WORRIED BECAUSE THERE WAS A LAW ON THE BOOKS TO USE MARIJUANA.

NOW THEY MAY TRY THAT AND THAT COULD HAVE IMPACT.

MAARJA: SURE.

MADISON IS THE ONLY CITY IN WISCONSIN THAT HAS DECRIMINALIZED MARIJUANA, AND THE SUPERIOR CITY COUNCIL BUT A QUESTION OUT TO THE RESIDENCE ABOUT LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN THE MAJORITY SAID YES, DO YOU THINK THE SUPERIOR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS TAKING NOTES FROM DULUTH AND THE THOUGHTS THAT THAT MAY COME DOWN IN THE FUTURE?

CAPTAIN WINTERSCHEIDT: SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE CITY PASSED AN ORDINANCE FOR MARIJUANA AND GAVE OFFICERS AN OPTION TO ISSUE A TICKET RATHER THAN TAKE SOMEONE TO JAIL FOR THEIR VIOLATION.

IN A WAY IT WAS OFFERED A DUE CRIMINALIZATION OFFER IN SUPERIOR.

PEOPLE CAUGHT WITH LESS THAN 25 GRAMS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT CITATION.

TO YOUR EARLIER QUESTION, WE HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FROM THIS LAW CHANGE OVER IN MINNESOTA ON THE WISCONSIN SIDE, WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY UPTICKS IN MARIJUANA ARRESTS OR SUCH.

MAARJA: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, WITH THERE BE ANYTHING ADDED TO THE LEGISLATION OR FIXES IN THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HELP YOU DO YOUR JOB?

>> THE LOCAL CONTROL PIECE IS IMPORTANT THAT WAS MISSED.

THAT IS, WITH ALCOHOL IS CONTROLLED BY LOCAL OFFICIALS, WHO GETS A LICENSE COMPLIANCE CHECKS AND WHATNOT, AND THAT WAS ONE THING WE WERE HOPING FOR AS WELL AS MEASURING AND ENSURING THAT THE THC, THE INGREDIENT THAT GETS YOU HIGH, IS KEPT AT LOWER AMOUNTS BECAUSE WE DO KNOW IT'S DETRIMENTAL TO MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL AS YOUNG ADULTS, CHILDREN IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

>> I THINK THE LOCAL CONTROL PIECE IS IMPORTANT IF YOU START LOOKING AT OTHER STATES WHO HAVE LEGALIZED THIS, THEY STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH THE ILLICIT MARKET, MUCH EASIER TO GROW AND PRODUCE MARIJUANA OUTSIDE OF A REGULATED SYSTEM.

YOU SEE THAT INFORMATION COMING OUT OF COLORADO, EVEN PBS ON THEIR NEWSHOUR OF THE SHOW WE DID A FEW YEARS AGO.

SO THAT'S CONCERNING FOR ME.

THEN AGAIN, JUST THE ACCESS.

YOU SEE MORE AND MORE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVING HIGH LEVELS OF THC IN THEIR SYSTEMS BECAUSE IT'S NOT BEING KEPT LOCKED UP AT HOME AND SOME OF THESE OTHER SITUATIONS.

MAARJA: IS THE FACT THAT IT IS STILL FEDERALLY ILLEGAL, DOES THAT IMPACT THE WORK YOU DO?

>> YES AND NO, RIGHT.

WE STILL GIVE, IN OUR SITUATION, PERMANENCE TO PURCHASE FIREARMS AND PERMITS TO CARRY.

SO IF YOU ARE A MARIJUANA USER, YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM HAVING A FIREARM OR PURCHASING A NEW FIREARM.

SO THERE IS THOSE ELEMENTS OF IT, BUT AS FAR AS THE ENFORCEMENT SIDE FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THAT'S NOT REALLY SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN A FOCUS OF SOMETHING LIKE OUR VIOLENT OFFENDER TASK FORCE.

WE ARE LARGELY FOCUSED ON FENTANYL AND METHAMPHETAMINE.

>> AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT, VITAL QUESTION TO LEAVE PEOPLE WITH, ANY POSITIVE IMPACTS FROM LEGALIZING CANNABIS THAT YOU GUYS ARE SEEING?

>> I WOULD SAY IT'S TOO EARLY YET TO SEE ANYTHING POSITIVE, BUT WE ARE HOPING THE LEGISLATION WORKS AS IT WAS INTENDED.

MAARJA: ANY OTHER FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> NOT FOR ME.

>> I AGREE, I HOPE THE LEGISLATION WORKS AS IT WAS INTENDED, I HOPE THEY GO BACK AND MAKE SOME OF THESE CHANGES AROUND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT KIND OF TOTALLY BLANKED OUT THAT ARE STILL IMPORTANT TO HAVE ON THE BOOKS.

MAARJA: THANK YOU ALSO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

MAARJA: RECREATIONAL USE OF HEMP AND CBD WAS LEGALIZED WITH THE CONFEDERATE REMOVED IT FROM THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ACT IN 2018.

THIS GAVE BUSINESS OWNERS AND FARMERS THE ABILITY TO GROW AND DISTRIBUTE CBD AND HEMP PRODUCTS STATE WIDE.

PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY AND VIDEOGRAPHER STEVE ASH TRAVELED TO AUSTIN MINNESOTA TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AGRICULTURAL SIDE OF PRODUCING HEMP.

AND THEY HEARD FROM BUSINESS OWNERS ABOUT HOW THIS NEW LAW IS IMPACTING HEMP AND CBD.

♪ >> WITH MINNESOTA'S RECENT LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS, MANY FARMERS ARE LOOKING TO HEMP FARMING IS THE NEW GOLD RUSH.

AT THIS FARM WE GOT TO SPOKE WITH -- SPEAK WITH FOLKS ABOUT THE REALITY OF GROWING AND SELLING THIS CROP.

>> THE FARM IS ESTABLISHED IN 1874.

FIRST TILLAGE WAS DONE THAT YEAR AND THEN THEY GREW CROP THE NEXT YEAR IN 1875 IN WE DID THAT FOR THE NEXT, WHAT?

HUNDRED 35 YEARS, AT LEAST.

THAT'S A LOT OF ABUSE THAT THE SOIL HAS TAKEN.

WE ARE LEARNING THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE SOIL.

WE ARE IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA ON THE WEST SIDE OF AUSTIN.

OURS CERTIFIED ORGANIC HEMP FIELD.

CERTIFIED ORGANIC IS NO CHEMICALS OR MAN-MADE PESTICIDES OR FERTILIZERS.

EVERYTHING YOU SEE HERE FOR NUTRIENTS USUALLY COMES FROM AN ANIMAL OR ANOTHER PLANT.

WHILE JEFF WAS IN BLUE THOR IN SUPERIOR, DRIVING OVER THE BRIDGE ON LAKE SUPERIOR, THE FARM BILL JUST PAST AND HE WANTED TO START THE HEMP BUSINESS.

SINCE I AM A REGENERATIVE PIONEER IN MINNESOTA, HE THOUGHT THE BEST WAY TO GROW HEMP WAS TO DO IT REGENERATIVE LEE.

REGENERATIVE IS WHEN YOU REDUCE YOUR TILLAGE, REDUCE YOUR CHEMICAL TO TRY TO BRING LIFE BACK INTO THE SOIL.

WE HAVE LOST THAT OVER THE LAST 140 YEARS OF TILLAGE IN THE UNITED STATES.

HERE, WE ARE REPRODUCING A HEALTHY SOIL TO HELP PRODUCE A HEALTHY PLANT THAT WILL HELP PRODUCE HEALTHY MEAT AND VITAL LIVESTOCK AND HEALTHY PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE AFTER.

>> WHEN YOU FIRST HEARD THE LAW WAS PASSED, WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST REACTION?

>> EXCITEMENT FOR THE POSSESSION AND PERSONAL GROW.

THEN, NERVOUSNESS, I GUESS.

>> WE SEEM TO HAVE A RATCHETING DOWN OF HEMP BUSINESS.

CANNABIS IS HEMP AND HEMP IS CANNABIS.

THERE WAS REASON TO INCLUDE HEMP IN THE ADULT USE BILL.

BUT NOW IT'S CANNABIS RECREATIONAL BILL THAT MENTIONS HEMP 1023 TIMES.

PEOPLE READ THROUGH THE BILL, REALIZE SOME OF THE PRODUCTS WILL BE STRIPPED AWAY AND PROVIDED ONLY TO MEDICAL.

>> WITHIN THE NEW RULES, IF WE ARE CONVERTING TO ADULT USE, EVEN AT A MICRO LICENSE LEVEL, YOU ARE GOING TO NEED MET -- PLAN AFTER PLAN TO SUBMIT TO THE STATE, INCLUDING TWO THE UNION TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.

>AS FARMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE, WE ARE KIND OF ASKING, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR US WHEN YOU HAVE TO HIRE, PROBABLY MORE THAN ONE ATTORNEY AND ACCOUNTANTS, AND COMPLIANCE PEOPLE.

EVEN THOUGH THEY SAY IT SMALL BUSINESS ORIENTED AND THAT'S A MICRO AND MESO LEVEL LICENSE, YOU WILL STILL NEED THE FULL GAMMA OF LEGAL SERVICES AND COMPLIANT SERVICES THAT MOST PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD.

I THINK IT'S ALSO DAUNTING TO MANY OF THESE SMALL BUSINESS BUSINESS FOLKS AND EQUITY FOLKS WHEN THEY LOOK AT A 322 PAGE BILL THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS YET.

I THINK IT'S PROHIBITIVE FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON TO ENTER THE SPACE.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO OPPOSE CANNABIS LEGALIZATION BUT WE GOT CHASTISE AS OPPONENTS OF THE BILL.

THE ONLY THING THEY OPPOSED OF THE BILL IS THE RATCHETING DOWN OF CBD PRODUCTS IN OUR CURRENT BUSINESS.

WE THINK ALMOST ANY ADVANCEMENT IS IMPORTANT.

THAT'S WHY WE DID NOT OPPOSE THE BILL.

WE OPPOSE SECTIONS I-131 AMENDMENT.

AND THE LEGISLATORS CALLED IT THE ELEGANT COMPROMISE AFTER THEY TALKED ABOUT FIVE MINUTES ABOUT CANNABIS.

THE COMPROMISE WAS THAT THEY GAVE THEM WITH ALL THREE INDUSTRIES.

-- AS FAR AS THE TRANSITION FROM -- HEMP INTO MARIJUANA HOW WOULD THE TRANSITION LOOK IF YOU GUYS DECIDED TO GO THAT ROUTE?

>> JEFF TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BEING TAXED AT A HIGHER RATE.

I THINK IT IS 10% MORE WHICH IS PRETTY HARD TO DO WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY AT SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GREAT, IT IS AN OK MARKET, BUT YOU NEED ALL THE HELP CAN GET.

THE REGULATIONS ARE GOING TO BE PRETTY STRICT.

WHICH I GET.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PLANS IN PLACE.

THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

IT WILL TAKE MORE CAPITAL AND WE HAVE HAD THIS BUSINESS NOW FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.

WE CAN PAY OUR PEOPLE BUT IT IS NOT LIKE WE HAVE WALKED AWAY WITH A TON OF MONEY.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO STRATEGIZE WHAT CURRENT PRODUCTS CAN WE KEEP, WHAT PRODUCTS ARE ALREADY LEGAL THAT WE HAVE IN STOCK, HOW DO WE MINIMIZE THOSE PORTIONS OF OUR BUSINESS.

AND WHAT IS OUR NEXT STRATEGY?

THE WAY WE ARE DOING THIS, IT THE BETTER WAY.

WE CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH THIS BUT WE NEED TO HELP PLANET EARTH AND WE NEED ARE HELPING OUR COMMUNITIES.

I WANT THIS TO STAY LOCAL.

I HOPE THAT WE CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BILL OF LEGISLATION.

I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE A TOUGH JOB.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE, BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE HAVE TO PROTECT MINNESOTA FAMILIES.

♪ >> HERE TO EXPAND ON THE BUSINESS SIDE OF EAGLE EYES CANNABIS IN THE STATE WE HAVE DR. PETER BURRELL, PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, AND CHRIS SCALE SKI -- CO-OWNERS OF CHRONIC BROTHERS IN HITTING.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

I'M HAPPY YOU MADE IT HERE FROM HIBBING, AND YOUR OTHER LOCATIONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

PADDLE WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO GET INTO THE THC SELTZER'S.

AND YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT LIKE YOUR DECISION TO DIVERSIFY YOUR OFFERINGS THROUGH THIS AND HOW YOU LEARNED ABOUT IT?

>> OUR PATH STARTED IN 2019, LATE NOVEMBER, EARLY DECEMBER.

WE STARTED PRODUCING CBD.

THAT WAS OUR ENTRY INTO IT.

WE WERE PRODUCING THAT FOR ABOUT 6-7 MONTH PRIOR TO MINNESOTA TAKING THE FEDERAL STANCE.

WE WERE ASKED TO STOP PRODUCTION.

WE HAPPILY DID AT THAT THERE WAS NOT A STANCE AND SO WE WERE ALLOWED TO DO THAT UNDER THE FEDERAL FARM BILL.

WE KNEW WE HAD A PRODUCT WE ENJOYED AND THAT OUR CUSTOMERS WOULD ENJOY AS WELL.

WE WERE NOT REALLY THINKING ABOUT PSYCHOTROPIC AT THAT TIME OR THC BEING IN A PRODUCT.

AS IT WAS NOT REALLY A DISCUSSION POINT.

WE PUT THAT ON PAUSE AND WE FOCUSED ON CRAFT BEER LEGISLATION.

THEN WE GOT THE SURPRISE.

WE HAVE ALREADY DONE A TON OF R&D AT THAT POINT THEN WE MOVED FAIRLY QUICKLY INTO THE PROCESS OF PRODUCTION.

THAT IS HOW WE ENDED UP BEING ONE OF THE FIRST OR THE SECOND ESTATE TO BE PRODUCING.

WE ARE ALSO BLESSED TO HAVE A FARM NORTH OF US.

A GREAT CONNECTION TO AND ALSO FIRE IN THE CITY AS WELL.

AND YEAH, WE HAD ALL THE THINGS IN PLACE TO DO SOMETHING THAT WE WERE GOING TO ENJOY AND WE KNEW OUR CUSTOMERS WOULD ENJOY AS WELL.

>> THEY SEEM TO BE VERY POPULAR BUT THC ULCERS.

>> THEY ARE LOW POINT AND SEE -- POTENCY AND THEY HAVE A HIGH OFFERING.

NOT TO DIG TOO DEEP INTO NUMBERS, BUT WITHIN OUR GROUP WE ARE ROUGHLY DOING 20% OF THE TOTAL VOLUME IN LOW POTENCY THC BEVERAGES.

>> CHRIS AND ALAN CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CHRONIC OTHERS AND WHAT YOU GUYS DO.

>> WHAT WE DO IS WE BASICALLY GET INTO THE 420 COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO GROWING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL EVERYBODY IN THE 420 COMMUNITY IS GROWING GOOD FLOWER.

WE WILL ACTUALLY COME OUT PHYSICALLY AND PUT OUR HANDS ON AND WE HAVE A PHYSICAL STORE FOR 20 ORGANICS LOCATED IN HIBBING.

>> YOU ARE ABOUT THE FARMING, THAT HAVING A GREEN THUMB.

JUST THAT EVERYBODY HAS QUALITY FLOWER TO SMOKE.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS?

>> WE'VE BEEN IN THE CANNABIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS NOW.

>> YEAH WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS ALSO SINCE WE WAS LIKE 11.

IT HAS BEEN LIKE BACK AND FORTH, BUT OUR DREAM IS TO -- TO BE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ALLOWS US TO NOT ONLY BE OURSELVES, BUT TO BE POSITIVE AND BE RESPECTFUL AND BE RESPECTED.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WAS SUCH A BLACKEYE TO THE COMMUNITY, THE 420 COMMUNITY AS FAR AS WHAT WE WILL DO WITH THE 21-YEAR-OLDS AND THOSE THAT WERE USING IT UNDER 21.

I AM REALLY BIG FOR THE -- THOSE RULES -- THOSE WHO ARE BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR USING THC IN THE DRINKS.

THAT IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA TO.

>> YOU HOPE THE LEGALIZATION WILL HELP WITH THE STIGMA WITH YOUR BUSINESS?

>> YEAH.

>> DR. MOREL YOU ACTUALLY TEACH A CLASS CALLED THE SCIENCE OF CANNABIS.

AND YOU TELL IS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT CLASS AND WHAT STUDENTS LEARN AND THAT -- IN IT?

>> WELL WE HAVE A PRETTY, IT IS A CLASS THAT MEETS ONCE A WEEK.

IT MOVES PRETTY QUICKLY THROUGH A SERIES OF TOPICS.

WE TALK ABOUT THE STATES'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

WE HAVE HAD A FOCUS ON MANY TIMES -- WE HAVE CHRIS IN THE CLASS EVERY YEAR I THINK.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE STATES HEMP PROGRAM.

WE OF COURSE ALSO TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT CHEMISTRY BETWEEN HIM AND MARIJUANA.

--HEMP AND MARIJUANA.

AND THE HISTORY OF CANNABIS CULTIVATION.

HOW LAWS HAVE CHANGED.

ALSO SOME OF THE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF CANNABIS AND, YOU KNOW, ARREST, AND THE GALLERY OF CANNABIS AND HOW IT HAS AFFECTED THE BROADER COMMUNITY.

>> SO IF SOMEONE DOES NOT WANT TO GO TO BENT PADDLE TO GET A THC CELL THERE AND THEY WANT TO -- SELTZER.

WHAT IS THAT LOOK LIKE FOR YOUR HOME?

>> NOWADAYS, EVERYTHING, MOST PEOPLE GROW IN A TENT.

IN A GROW TENT SO IT IS CONCEALED, MOSTLY.

THEY ARE SMALLER 4 X 4'S OR OBSCENE BIGGER FOUR BY EIGHT.

YOU REALLY DO NOT EVEN KNOW THAT YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR HOUSE.

>> NOT ONLY THAT THEY HAVE FILTERS NOW WHERE THEY CAN FILTER OUT THE SMELL WHERE IT IS NOT SO CONVENIENT IT USED TO BE OUTDOORS.

WE ALSO SELL LED LIGHTS THAT HAVE LOW VOLUME ON THE USAGE OF YOUR HOUSE BILL YOU KNOW HOW IT USED TO BE BACK IN THE DAY.

IT IS MORE FOR 20 FRIENDLY AND IT COMES TO THE --420 FRIENDLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE GROWERS.

WHEN THEY WANT TO DO INDOOR GROWS OR OUTDOOR GROWS.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE PHOTO PLANT WE DON'T HAVE IT, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME INTO OUR STORE AND REQUIRE ABOUT THEIR PLANTS FROM OUTDOOR INDOOR.

A LOT OF THEM REQUIRE TENTS WHICH, LIKE I SAID, WE PROVIDE.

AND I THINK WE REALLY JUST, WE WANT TO BE THERE FOR OUR 420 COMMUNITY.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE.

I'M THING FOR TO BE PART OF THIS PANEL.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS NOT THE EASIEST PLANT TO -- IS IT?

[LAUGHTER] >> NO, THAT IS WHY WE CONSULT.

IT IS NOT AN EASY PLANT TO GROW.

>> VERY TEMPERAMENTAL.

>> I'M SURE THAT EVERYBODY COULD GROW A PLANT BUT TO PRODUCE QUALITY FLOWER IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> YOU DIDN'T -- YOU DID A RADIO INTERVIEW AND YOU MENTIONED THAT GROWING IN YOUR HOME CAN BE HARD ON YOUR HEALTH.

>> YEAH, WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT MORE SPECIFICALLY, WHAT THESE GUYS ARE OFFERING IS A VERY CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT, BUT WHEN PEOPLE HAVE HAD GROW OPERATIONS, ILLEGAL GROW OPERATIONS, THAT CAN BE VERY DISRUPTIVE.

>> YES, IT CAN.

>> YOU HAVE HIGH HUMIDITY, HIGH TEMPERATURES, YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN A HOUSE IN MINNESOTA WHERE THE BASEMENT IS 75% HUMIDITY AND YOU DEAL WITH MOLD AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE HAVE BEEN ILLEGAL GROW OPERATIONS NOT INCHES JUST -- NOT JUST IN THIS STATE BUT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THE GROWER -- THEY COME IN AND FIND THAT THEIR HOUSE HAS BEEN DESTROYED FROM PEOPLE ILLEGALLY GROWING IN THE BASEMENT.

>> SO YOU NEED A DEHUMIDIFIER AND LIGHTS AND MAY BE A TENT.

THERE WAS A LOT THAT GOES INTO IT.

>> YES, DEFINITELY.

>> WITH THE LEGALIZATION, THERE IS HIGH DEMAND FOR THE YOUR THC SELTZERS.

DO YOU HAVE A SUPPLY FOR IT?

ARE YOU WORRIED THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET WHAT YOU NEED TO CREATE YOUR PRODUCT?

>> YEAH WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS IN PLACE BUT THAT IS ALWAYS A QUESTION IN OUR INDUSTRY.

WE ARE A BREWER AND MANUFACTURER AND SO WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING AT INGREDIENTS, WE ARE WATCHING WEATHER PATTERNS AND LOOKING AT EVERYTHING TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PURCHASE WHAT WE NEED TO CREATE THE PRODUCTS WE ARE PRODUCING.

WITH THIS, THE CONCERN IS THAT POTENTIALLY HEMP FARMERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PRODUCE THE QUANTITY NEEDED TO CONTEND WITH THE BEVERAGES.

WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS EARLIER AS WELL AS OTHER PRODUCERS ARE HOW TO CONTINUE TO THAT.

I THINK IN THIS LEGISLATION WE HAVE SEEN SOME CHANGE TO HOW THE FEDERAL FARM BILL AND THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP SIDE OF THINGS VERSUS THE REGULATION FOR MARIJUANA.

AND IT CAN HOPEFULLY HAPPEN SIDE-BY-SIDE SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR FARMERS.

-- SUPPLY THE AMOUNT OF THC FROM A BEVERAGE THEN YOU WOULD A MARIJUANA PLANT.

BUT LOCAL THC BEVERAGES ARE ONLY GOING TO BE PRODUCED USING THE HEMP DRIVE THC.

WHEN YOU GO INTO 280E THEY HAVE DIFFERENT AVERAGES THERE BUT YOU'RE ENTERING A DIFFERENT MARKET.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT YOU FOR A RATE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES?

>> I DO NOT THINK WE WILL EVER RUN OUT OF SUPPLIES.

>> [LAUGHTER] JUST AS FAR AS THE INDUSTRY WE ARE IN WITH THE TEST FOR THE SOILS AND ALL OF THAT.

NO, WE WILL BE OK. >> I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS JOINING US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IN BILL HS 100 DAY IT IS LAID OUT THAT RECREATIONAL DISPENSARIES CANNOT OPEN UNTIL 2025.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE FOR TRIBAL NATIONS HERE IN MINNESOTA.

IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR COLLEAGUES, PRODUCERS CARLY JONES AND MEGAN MCCARTHY, AND ISAAC QUICK TRAVEL TO THE WHITE EARTH RESERVATION AND LEARN ABOUT DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF THE DISPENSARY AND HOW THEY ARE HANDLING MANNED OF BEING ONE OF TWO DISPENSARIES IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

♪ >> MY NAME IS ALEXANDER I AM THE GENERAL MANAGER HERE -- THE CANNABIS FACILITY ON THE RESERVAION.

AS FAR AS DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS ARE CONCERNED, WE HAVE CULTIVATION, POSTHARVEST, DISPENSARY MANAGEMENT, AND DISPENSARY.

THROUGH SUCCESSFUL LOBBYING AND NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNMENT IN MINNESOTA, THE TRIBES WERE ABLE TO CARVE OUT WHITE, NOT A LOOPHOLE, BUT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEMSELVES.

THAT OPPORTUNITY IS THAT THE STATE SAYS ADULT USE IS LEGAL.

YOU CAN GROW FOR NON-MATURE PLANTS AND WHEN ALL THE CODE AND REGULATIONS ARE IN ORDER, YOU ARE ALSO ABLE TO APPLY FOR LICENSE AND GROW CANNABIS.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR STATED AND WHAT THE LEGISLATION SHOWS IS THAT WHATEVER THE STATE DOES IS WHAT THE STATE DOES, BUT WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THE TRIBAL NATION IS THEIR BUSINESS.

THEY WOULD NEED TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE ADULT USE, APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE MEDICINAL USE WE ALREADY HAVE ADDITIONAL CODES -- MEDICINAL CODES AND WE HAD TO DRAFT A PASS AND THEN WE CAN DO WHAT WE WANT ON THE RESERVATION.

IT IS UP TO US TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THE TRIBES OF MINNESOTA.

I LOOK AT THIS IS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD.

BEING IN THIS INDUSTRY AND BEING AT THIS FACILITY, I WAS IN THE FOREST AND I WAS.

NOT SEEING THE TREES HAD A BACKED UP FOR THE MOMENT, YOU WOULD SEE HOW THIS IS A I SAY THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS PEOPLE TELLING PEOPLE THAT WHEN THIS PASSES, WE CAN GET ALL THE VOTES OF THE NATIVES BY GIVING THE KEYS TO -- OF THE KINGDOM TO THEM KNOWING THAT THEY CANNOT FULFILL 2% OF THE DEMAND AND THEY CANNOT RAMP UP FAST ENOUGH WITH THE ACCOUNT THEY HAVE ON BOARD TO EVEN TAKE SIX MONTHS OF THIS HEAD START.

SO ACTUALLY IT IS PRETTY SAD BECAUSE WE WILL SELL EVERYTHING WE GOT, THEY TRIED TO SAY THEY CAN WATER LIKE THIS.

NO, THEY ARE BROTHER AND SISTER.

I WANT TO SUPPORT THEM IN EVERY WAY I CAN AND VICE VERSA.

WE SHOULD BE CARRYING THEIR STRAIN AND WE SHOULD CARRY THEIR STRAINS.

-- THEY SHOULD CARRY OUR STRAINS.

THERE ARE NINE MORE TRIBES THAT NEED HELP.

PRAIRIE ISLAND IS OPENING A DISPENSARY IN SIX MONTHS AND THEY WANT TO BUY FROM US AND WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH.

SAME THING WITH ANOTHER.

IT IS LIKE WATCH THIS, YOU LOOK THIS IS THE BEST MOVE WE COULD EVER GIVE KNOWING THAT IF YOU TRULY KNEW ALL TRENDS WERE LIKE THIS WE COULD CONTROL THE MET -- CANNABIS MARKET OF THIS MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE WE DO THINGS ON THIS RESERVATION TAX-FREE.

EVERYTHING SOLD HERE IS TAX-FREE UNTIL WE SELL OUTSIDE OF OUR.

IT IS NOT ABOUT -- OUR BORDERS.

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY BUT IT IS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY.

HOW DO WE DO THIS WHEN WE HAVE A RACE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE MARKET AND COMPRESSION HAPPENS, HOW DO WE GET THROUGH THAT?

MINNEAPOLIS IS SET UP TO HAVE 240-250 DISPENSARIES.

THAT IS BETWEEN MICRO WHICH IS 5000 SQUARE FEET OF CANOPY HERE OR MESO 15,000 SQUARE FEET.THAT IS ONE DISPENSARY OR THREE.

THE POPULATION SUPPORTS 240-250 DISPENSARIES.

AGAIN, THERE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH AUDIT AT FIRST.

THERE WILL BE SO MUCH -- PRODUCT AT FIRST.

THERE WILL BE A LOOP HOLE AND DOES THIS PROVIDE THEM TO BE ABLE TO COME IN AND BUY THEM UP?

WE KNEW THAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD ORIGINALLY GIVE A MEDICAL LICENSE IS OUT AND THEY ONLY GAVE TO IN THE END.

I WOULD SET THE STRUCTURE UP BETTER MORE OF A EDUCATIONALLY BASED LICENSING SYSTEM, NOT JUST SOMEONE WITH THE MOST MONEY.

IF WE WANT MINNESOTANS TO TRULY SUCCEED, HAVING ONLY THREE SO FAR, IT WILL ONLY GET BETTER, BETTER AND BETTER.

YOU DO NOT GET BETTER OVERNIGHT SO BEING THIS GOOD WITH ONLY THREE HARVEST IS VERY PROMISING.

THE STATE SAYS INDIVIDUALS CAN GROW FOR PLANTS, FOR VEGGING AND FOR MATURE BECAUSE IT IS A MEDICINE.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT HELPS A LOT OF PEOPLE GET THROUGH THEIR DAY.

I THINK THIS PLANT WAS PUT ON EARTH AND WE HAVE A CANNIBAL RECEPTOR SYSTEM THAT WORKS WELL WITH THIS SO WHY NOT CANNABIS?

♪ >> WE ARE REJOINED NOW BY ST. LOUIS COUNTY SHERIFF.

PROFESSOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND HAVE BEEN YOUNG.

WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THE LEGALIZING FIRM --RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ONCE AGAIN.

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK WITH THE BUSINESS IMPACT AND EDUCATOR.

SOMEONE REPRESENTING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY TO OVERALL LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND SEE, GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

ONE MONTH UNTIL LOUIS -- LEGALIZATION.POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN RUS> ?

FROM THE BUSINESS STANDPOINT -- WITH THE PAST MONTH WE ARE NOTICING ANYTHING DIFFERENT.

I WILL SAY THAT IN OUR SPACE AND OUR CONTROLLED SPACE WHICH IS TAPROOM, THE FOCUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO HANDLE RESPONSIBLY.

IT CONTINUES TO BE RESPONSIBLY.

AS WE WERE SETTING UP OUR PROGRAMS, WE KNOW THAT OFFICERS HAVE TO DO THEIR JOBS AS WELL.

JUST LIKE ALCOHOL, WE MANAGE THIS AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO COME IN, EXPERIENCE OUR PRODUCT, HAVE A GREAT TIME, AND LEAVE SAFELY.

THAT IS STILL OUR FOCUS IN THE TAPROOM.

>> SHERIFF RAMSEY I KNOW YOU MENTIONED A MONTH IS MAYBE TOO SOON TO RELEASE THE IMPLICATIONS, BUT LOOKING AHEAD, HOW WILL YOU GAUGE IF THERE IS POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE IMPACT?

>> I THINK LOOKING AT THE DATA.

WHAT IS THE GRAPH DATA, WHAT IS THE INFORMATION WE ARE GETTING ON USING AND YOUTH INTERACTIONS WITH MARIJUANA?

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE AREAS WE WILL BE FOCUSED ON INITIALLY.

OBVIOUSLY, THE FIRST MONTH WE ARE STILL COLLECTING THE DATA AND TALKING WITH PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS, NEIGHBORS, RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.

NOTHING HAS POPPED UP THAT HAS CAUSED ANY CONCERN AT THIS POINT OTHER THAN OUR INITIAL CONCERNS WE TALKED ABOUT.

>> AND DR. MOREL, FROM AN EDUCATIONAL STANDPOINT AND THE SCIENCE STANDPOINT, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE IMPACT HAS BEEN FOR THE LEGISLATION, DO YOU THINK IT MAKES SENSE FROM YOUR STANDPOINT?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THE LEGISLATION ESPECIALLY THE NEW LEGISLATION ON RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA MAKES IT A LOT MORE SENSITIVE THAN THE BEVERAGE EDIBLES DID.

YOU KNOW, THE BIGGEST THING THAT I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT WITH CANNABIS AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF IMPLICATIONS FOR EARLY AND FREQUENT USE ON YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE ONE THING THAT CONCERNS ME IS HOW WE WILL PREVENT YOU KNOW THE LEGAL RECREATIONAL USE OF AVAILABILITY OF MARIJUANA IN THE STATE FROM AFFECTING YOUNG YOUTH.

THERE IS AMPLE EVIDENCE FROM MULTIPLE STUDIES AROUND THE WORLD THAT EARLY EXPOSURE AND FREQUENT EXPOSURE IS HARMFUL.

IT IMPACTS COGNITIVE ABILITY ON THINGS LIKE LIFE SATISFACTION.

IN THE RISK OF DEVELOPING SCHIZOPHRENIA IS HIGHER.

THOSE ARE THINGS WE CERTAINLY WANT TO AVOID IN THE STATE.

>> IS THAT SOMETHING WHERE YOUR WE ARE THE 23RD STATE FOR RECREATIONAL USE.

IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK TO OTHER STATES ESTHER MARK HAVE DAY -- TWO OTHER STATES?

HAVE DAY -- I'M SURE THAT THAT IS A CONCERN FOR THEM AS WELL.

>> YOU KNOW, MOST OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANNABIS WAS OUTSIDE OF MINNESOTA HAS BEEN IN CALIFORNIA.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH OF A CHANGE THINGS LIKE EXPOSURE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE THING THAT WAS MOST REMARKABLE IN CALIFORNIA WAS THE TRANSITION FROM MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

IT IS HOW LITTLE IT CHANGED.

IT WAS NOT VERY VISIBLE REEDIT IS ILL NOT.

YOU HAVE TO GO TO SPECIFIC PLACES IN CALIFORNIA TO SEE THIS CHANGE.

SO, -- I DO THINK THAT THINGS LIKE THE EXPOSURE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND MORE ACCESSIBILITY COULD BE SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING OUT OF SIGHT.

>> THIS IS BEEN SUCH A GREAT CONVERSATION.

WE JUST HAVE 32ND TO WRAP UP.

HIGH LEVEL LOOKING TO THE FUTURE HOPES FOR LEGALIZATION GOING FORWARD.

>> EDUCATION FOR YOUTH AND ENSURING WE ARE KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE.

>> IN.

AGAIN, FOR ME IT IS WELCOMING REGULATION.

I THINK YOU ARE CORRECT IN SAYING IT WAS WILD AND WE NEED TO TAME THAT A LITTLE BIT.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO GIVE PEOPLE REGULATIONS TO FOLLOW.

AND I THINK WE ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH FOR THAT.

CLIQUES THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR OFFERING YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND INSIGHT.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU TO OUR GUEST FOR SHARING THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE ON THE SHOW TONIGHT READ IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF THE PROGRAM YOU CAN WATCH IT ON ALMANAC NORTH YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WATCH IT ON PBS.COM.

I AM MARTY HEWITT.

GOOD NIGHT.

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