Minnesota Republican legislators decry electrical issues from marijuana legalization: ‘Get ready for blackouts and brownouts’
During a joint town hall last Saturday, Minnesota state Rep. Paul Novotny (R-Elk River) and state Sen. Eric Lucero (R-St. Michael) claimed the legalization of recreational marijuana will be an unsustainable burden on the state’s electric grid.
During a joint town hall last Saturday, Minnesota state Rep. Paul Novotny (R-Elk River) and state Sen. Eric Lucero (R-St. Michael) claimed the legalization of recreational marijuana will be an unsustainable burden on the state’s electric grid.
“Last session, we passed marijuana for all bill. And everyone can have up to ten grow lights in their house,” Novotny said at the event hosted by Americans for Prosperity – Minnesota and Alpha News. “Now, I hope most of you are not familiar with the marijuana grow operation, but I will tell you that it takes a ton of electricity.”
“It’s not sustainable but get ready for blackouts and brownouts. That’s what’s going to happen,” Lucero said.
MN State Sen. Lucero (R) and Rep. Novotny (R) claim legal marijuana will lead to power grid failure by grow lights.
NOVOTNY: “The marijuana grow operation … takes a ton of electricity … We’re shutting down electric plants.”
LUCERO: “Get ready for blackouts and brownouts.” pic.twitter.com/n1xn4PReQS
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) February 14, 2024
Under current law, Minnesotans are only allowed to legally grow up to eight marijuana plants. While electric consumption will increase, blackouts are generally brief and rare. Some states like Illinois and Massachusetts have taken steps to regulate energy use.
Minnesota’s recreational marijuana bill was signed by Gov. Tim Walz (DFL) in August. Just five Republicans in the state house and one state senator joined Democrats in passing the bill. In addition to electric grid worries, state Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault) raised concerns last year about drug-sniffing dogs being forced to retire.
Minnesota State Sen. John Jasinski (R) argues against legalizing marijuana because it will result in early retirement for drug-sniffing dogs: “The police dog discussion … that’s a big issue.” pic.twitter.com/gnYEQKmhhb
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) February 16, 2023
Minnesota is still months away from marijuana being widely available, but adults over the age of 21 are now permitted to possess and grow cannabis within certain limits.
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