Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s Drug Policy: Progressive Reforms or Working-Class Harm?

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has overseen a series of drug policy reforms during his tenure, including the legalisation of cannabis and the introduction of harm reduction initiatives. However, his administration’s approach has not been without controversy. Walz, who was recently selected by Vice President Kamala Harris as her running mate, has also imposed a 95% tax on nicotine pouches, raising concerns about his impact on traditional, working-class values.

In May 2024, Walz amended the state’s Tobacco Tax law to categorise tobacco-free nicotine products like Zyn as "moist snuff." This reclassification subjects these products to a 95% tax rate, which has drawn criticism from various quarters. Data from the CDC and the UK’s National Institute of Health (NIH) suggest that the use of adult smokeless tobacco, including Zyn, is prevalent among low-income, rural men in the Midwest. The product has gained popularity as a symbol of traditional masculinity, championed by figures like Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson.

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The tax has become a political flashpoint, with Republican lawmakers accusing the Walz-Harris administration of prioritising the policing of working-class habits over addressing more pressing issues, such as the ongoing border crisis. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama expressed his discontent, suggesting that Democrats are more focused on exerting government control than on tackling the surge of deadly drugs entering the country.

Cannabis Legalisation and Harm Reduction Initiatives

In addition to his stance on nicotine products, Walz has also presided over a shift towards the legalisation and decriminalisation of various drugs. In May 2023, he signed a bill legalising recreational cannabis in Minnesota, introducing a 10% tax on retail sales. This move was followed by the expansion of harm reduction services, including the state’s Syringe Services Program (SSP). The programme, funded by the Minnesota Department of Health, provides sterile syringes, safe disposal containers, and overdose-reversal drugs like Naloxone at no cost to users. The legislation also legalised the possession of drug paraphernalia, even when it contains residue.

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Donald Trump Jr. argue that such policies could lead to increased drug use and related problems, citing examples like Switzerland's "needle park," which became a tourist attraction for addicts before it was eventually shut down. Similarly, Italy’s decriminalisation of small amounts of heroin has been linked to high addiction rates.

Psychedelics Task Force and Future Legislation

Walz’s progressive drug policies extend to psychedelics as well. In May 2024, he approved the creation of a Psychedelic Medicine Task Force. This group is charged with studying the therapeutic benefits of substances like psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, and LSD, and determining the legal avenues for their use in Minnesota. Advocates see this as a step towards the eventual legalisation of psychedelics in the state.

Minneapolis’ Democratic mayor, Jacob Frey, has already moved in this direction, ordering law enforcement to deprioritise the criminalisation of psychedelics. The task force is expected to deliver its final report by January 2025, potentially paving the way for more comprehensive reforms.