Minnesota Gov Walz Demands Transparency In $22M Cannabis Project Funding

In a recent development that has ignited controversy and raised questions over the allocation of taxpayer dollars, a cannabis project proposed in Minnesota has come under scrutiny.

The project, known as the 'Highway 35 LLC project,' aims to transform an old lumber mill into a state-of-the-art $67 million cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility, reported CBS News Minnesota.

While proponents of the project tout its potential to create 400 new jobs and generate much-needed tax revenue for the region, concerns about the $22 million in loans approved for its funding have taken center stage.

Transparent Use Of Taxpayer Dollars

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stressed the need for transparency regarding allocating these funds. "I think it's fair anything to do with cannabis. I would do Minnesotans and to our state agencies. People are going to wonder how all of this is done. So be prepared to answer those questions."

Governor Walz's insistence on transparency stems from crucial points of concern surrounding the decision-making process. "It was a decision made not as a board decide. Was there anything else that was determined who else supplied those types of things? We should find that out," he said.

The funding for the Highway 35 LLC project is contingent on the business securing a state license, a responsibility falling under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, per the local news. However, it's important to note that this regulatory body is not expected to be fully operational until at least 2025.

Photo: CBS News Minnesota