recreational marijuana

With the start of the 2023 Minnesota legislative session Jan. 3, the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, is putting families at the top of its advocacy strategy for the year.

Potential “policy challenges present a tremendous opportunity for Minnesota Catholics to, as Pope Francis has said, ‘meddle in politics’ by proposing a positive vision: the ability to choose what we ought, not the license to choose what we want.”

Of the questions covered by the survey, the Minnesota Catholic Conference has been involved in four: promoting school choice, opposing the recreational marijuana industry, opposing sports gambling, and ensuring everyone living in Minnesota is licensed to drive.

Amid the ongoing challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the Minnesota Catholic Conference worked to help pass legislation at the State Capitol this session to protect the poor and vulnerable while also staving off initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana and physician-assisted suicide.

“In these final days before the regular session ends May 17, Catholic laity continue advocating to uphold life, dignity and the common good. But not only are people in the pews speaking out, so are our shepherds.”

Hundreds of Catholics from nearly every legislative district across Minnesota answered that call to be missionary disciples by meeting with their legislators via Zoom.

The day before recess, the House Rules Committee voted to waive the deadline required for four bills, including a recreational marijuana legalization bill.

Legalizing recreational marijuana is a major issue for consideration during Minnesota’s 2020 legislative session. Many worry that legislators and the public have not fully realized the negative consequences that would likely follow legalization.