Axios Twin Cities

May 30, 2023
Good morning and welcome back after the long weekend!
β Some much-needed rain is heading our way today. NWS is forecasting showers and thunderstorms today, with a high of 88.
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Today's newsletter is 869 words, a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: What's next for legal weed
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Minnesotans 21 and older will be able to legally consume and grow cannabis for personal use as of Aug. 1.
The big picture: Later today, Gov. Tim Walz will sign into law a bill making Minnesota the 23rd state in the U.S. to legalize recreational cannabis.
Yes, but: It will be a while before people can buy cannabis from a dispensary-style store. First, state officials need to launch a new state cannabis office and licensing system.
What to expect: Leili Fatehi, a leader of a coalition that pushed for legalization, told Axios she anticipates cannabis business licenses will be issued beginning in late 2024, with doors opening in 2025.
- That timeline aligns with the target dates listed in the state's recent request for bids from software vendors that could build the licensing system.
Zoom in: Under the bill, adults can have up to 2 pounds of cannabis flower for personal use at home and up to 2 ounces in public.
- Home growers are allowed up to eight plants, though only four can be flowering at a time.
Of note: Food and beverages containing up to 5mg of hemp-derived THC will remain legal and available at a wide range of retailers, though new language adds label requirements and limits drinks to two "servings" per container.
What we're watching: The bill also fixes a glitch in state statute that made it technically illegal for liquor stores to sell THC seltzers.
- That change takes effect immediately, so expect to see the popular drinks on more shelves soon.
2. S.O.S. Royce Lewis
Royce Lewis has returned to a Twins team that needs him badly. Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
The Twins are mired in mediocrity thanks to a lineup that just can't seem to hit on a consistent basis.
What's happening: A third of the way through the MLB season, the Twins are 28-26 despite boasting one of the best starting pitching rotations in baseball.
- Their starters had the fourth best earned run average in baseball heading into Monday's game, led by Sonny Gray's 1.94 ERA.
- But the lineup ranks 24th of 30 MLB teams in batting average.
The intrigue: Former top prospect Royce Lewis returned to the team Monday one year after he tore his his ACL, hitting a home run in his debut.
- He could provide the hits and stolen bases the team needs.
Why it matters: If the Twins can drum up some offense, they have the pitching to become a great team.
Yes, but: They'll need shortstop Carlos Correa to step up his game after a slow start, and they also need Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler to return from injuries.
The bottom line: The Twins have a tiny lead in a bad American League Central division. Some solid hitting would give them more breathing room.
3. The Spoon: Rare black bear attack
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
π Five Minnesotans, including a 9-year-old from Arden Hills, are set to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee starting today. (Meet the spellers)
- The preliminary round starts at 8am.
π³οΈ Attorney Tayler Rahm has filed fundraising paperwork to run as a Republican against DFL U.S. Rep. Angie Craig. (Torey via Twitter)
- State of play: The suburban 2nd Congressional District is shaping up to be Minnesota's most β and potentially only β competitive seat in 2024.
π« St. Cloud State is planning deeper cuts to make up for a deficit. That would mean 100 fewer faculty and several fewer majors over the next five years. (Star Tribune)
π₯ A woman was seriously injured by a black bear that attacked her at a cabin near Gull Lake. The DNR said black bear attacks are rare. (MPR News)
π A group is trying to turn up to 235,000 acres of the Driftless region of southeast Minnesota into a national park. (Racket)
Quote du jour: Rep. Phillips' pilgrimage
βIt was a beautiful sight. β¦ It was filled with pine trees. And it felt like Minnesota, like our home, where my dad was raised, where I was raised and still make my home. And instead of being heavy and sad and weighty, it was just the opposite.ββ U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips on visiting the site where his father, Army Capt. Arthur βArtieβ Pfefer, was killed in a helicopter crash during the Vietnam War. The now-congressman was 6 months old at the time.
Watch the full interview via NBC's "Today."
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4. πΈ 1,000 words
Tom and Shiv, in the "Succession" finale. Photo: Courtesy of HBO
This newsletter is a spoiler-free zone, but we'd be remiss to let HBO's "Succession" end without one final #localangle reminder that Tom Wambsgans "hails" from St. Paul.
π For those who have watched (or don't mind knowing how it all ends), we recommend this post-finale interview with Matthew Macfadyen, the actor who plays Tom on the show, and this fan theory steeped in baseball history, which was posted before the final episode aired.
5. π¦ 1 photo trivia question to go
Where can you find this prehistoric partier? Photo: Torey Van Oot/Axios
π Torey here. I ran into this fancy fella on a recent visit to a popular Minneapolis cocktail bar.
- At over 60 million years old, I'm pretty sure the bartender didn't need to ask for his ID.
π¬ ROOAAAAR ... er, we mean reply to this email with your guess as to where to find Mr. Rex.
- The first reader who writes in with the correct answer will get an Axios Twin Cities tote bag. We'll also send one to another randomly selected respondent who gets it right.
β€οΈ Thank you to our members for helping us invest in our local journalism! Join them.
π» Nick once came within about 50 yards of a grizzly bear and a black bear at the same time while hiking in Glacier National Park.
πΎ Audrey is attempting to wrangle an angry cat into a carrier for his vet visit.
π Torey went to her favorite pizza farm over the weekend. Delicious and idyllic.
This newsletter was edited by Carlos Cunha and copyedited by Cindy Orosco-Wright.
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