minnesota

Minnesota Senate Votes to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

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The legalization of marijuana in the United States remains a topic of debate amongst the House of Representatives as well as the US population. For Minnesota, this debate has come to a conclusion. On Friday, the Minnesota Senate voted to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. The Democrats have been able to make major advances in the state of Minnesota. Additionally, The passing of this bill will allow adults 21 or older to use marijuana, This would equate to the US laws of alcohol as well as purchasing cigarettes.

Recently, the state has made major advances toward political issues such as abortion laws, clean energy, children’s school lunch funding, as well as rights for convicted felons to become registered voters. The democratic lead House of Representatives was able to persuade the entire House of as well as the state to push these bills into motion. Tim Walz has been the governor of Minnesota since 2019. He supported the move calling it a “transformative moment” for the state highlighting the redemption of people who have lost their rights in Republican-led states.

The House Of Representatives

St. Paul, Minnesota. Joe Hobot, president and CEO of American Indian OIC speaks at a rally at the Capitol in support of legislation to spend nearly $84 million toward the cost of new buildings for nonprofits that provide services the groups consider critical to the Twin Cities Native American community. (Photo by: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Furthermore, President Joe Biden has announced a plan to pardon federal marijuana offenses for smaller possession. This past October, Biden’s announcement was motivated by clearing the criminal records of former and current inmates. “No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana,” he said. “It’s legal in many states, and criminal records for marijuana possession have led to needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” he added.

Minnesota is on track to becoming the 23rd state in the United States to legalize the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. Prior to Minnesota, Maryland was the last state to legalize recreation. Do you believe more states will soon follow Minnesota in passing the legalization? Let us know in the comments down below.

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Mall Of America Shooting Causes Lockdown, Results In One Death

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A gunman opened fire at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota last afternoon (December 23rd). Authorities quickly locked the shopping center down and maintained it closed for the night after they lifted the lockdown. The perpetrator of tragic shooting took the life of an unidentified 19-year-old. Police reported no further casualites. Also, the identity of the perpetrator is unknown as well.

Bloomington Police responded at around 8:17 p.m. to reported shots fired. Some social media clips display people hiding in stores, with rumors suggesting that the shooter was near Nordstroms. Reportedly, two groups of men had an altercation and fired bullets, several of which fatally struck a young male. Mall of America security and the Bloomington Police Department released a joint statement on the incident:

“Just before 8 p.m. this evening, Bloomington Police Department responded to a shooting contained in a tenant space.” They locked the shopping center down and, once lifted, kept the mall closed for the evening.

This is the second shooting and lockdown of this year at the shopping center following August’s incident outside a Nike store. Moreover, back in October, the mall installed new metal detectors after a New Year’s Eve incident left two people injured from gunshot wounds.

BLOOMINGTON, MN. – AUGUST 2022: Shoppers are finally allowed to leave the Mall of America after a lockdown of several hours in Bloomington, Minn., on Thursday, August. 4, 2022. Police in Minnesota confirm that gunshots were fired at the Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis, but say no victim has been found. (Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, TMZ reported that several members of the New York Giants were present at the time of the shooting. Furthermore, they will play the Minnesota Vikings later tonight (December 24th). All members are safe, according to Giants PR representative Pat Hanlon.

“Everyone is back in the hotel and accounted for now,” he told AP.

However, the number and identity of said players is unknown. Longtime Giants radio announcer Bob Papa was also present at the shooting, and shared updates with followers via Twitter. Authorities and media figures have revealed no further information at the moment. Still, it’s likely that more reactions and explanations will come forth in the near future as community members cope.

“Scary here @mallofamerica,” he tweeted. “Shooting in mall. On lockdown at #TwinCitiesGrill. Two gunmen at least one victim.” After, he added “Safely out of mall and back at hotel. Prayers to victim.”

Although most shoppers were able to escape unharmed, such a tragedy is a painful development during the holiday season. It’s just a few days before many celebrations of joy and togetherness. Still, this is a developing story, and one that has unfortunately become far too common in the news cycle. Stay tuned to HNHH for the latest updates, and stay safe with your loved ones this holiday season.

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