ACTION ALERT - MAY 15, 2025

🚨 URGENT: Proposed 15% Hemp & Cannabis Tax—We Need Your Voice NOW

Dear Industry Colleagues,

This morning, Governor Walz and House and Senate leadership jointly announced their intention to increase the tax on all hemp and cannabis products from 10% to 15%. 

This proposal is being pushed forward in the final days of session—without industry input or public debate.

While some in the Capitol are pointing fingers—Republicans blaming the Governor, Democrats blaming Republicans—the reality is this: leadership in both parties are advancing this tax increase. Regardless of who started it, it’s moving forward unless we stop it.

Why This Matters

• This tax increase will raise prices for consumers.
  

• It will hurt small and local businesses already operating on razor-thin margins.
  

• It undermines the equity, craft, and local business goals that shaped Minnesota’s cannabis law.
  

We Need You to Take Action TODAY:

1. Contact the Governor, Your Legislators, and Legislative Leaders (contact info below)
   

• Call, email, and meet with them to tell them to oppose the tax increase on hemp and cannabis.
  

• Make it clear that higher taxes will harm small businesses and consumers and empower the illicit market.
  
  

2. Mobilize Your Customers
   

• Let your customers know that prices could go up because of this tax increase.
  

• Ask them to contact their legislators and the Governor to oppose it.
  
  

3. Speak Out on Social Media
   

• Share posts to raise awareness and urge others to take action.
  

You can find talking points here for communicating about this with policymakers, customers, and the public.

Contact Information for Legislative Leaders:

• Governor Tim Walz
  651-201-3400 | Contact Form
  

• House Speaker Leader Lisa Demuth
  651-296-4373 | rep.lisa.demuth@house.mn
  

• DFL Leader Melissa Hortman
  651-296-4280 | rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn
  

• Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy
  651-296-5931 | sen.erin.murphy@senate.mn
  

• Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson
  651-296-5782 | sen.mark.johnson@senate.mn
  
  

Find your own legislators here: https://www.gis.lcc.mn.gov/iMaps/districts/

Let’s remind our leaders that Minnesota’s hemp and cannabis industry is built by local entrepreneurs who cannot afford to be taxed out of existence.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Leili at leili@bluntstrategies.com.

In solidarity,

The Blunt Strategies Team