Minneapolis committee moves drug‑paraphernalia decriminalization forward after hours of public testimony

The Committee of the Whole advanced an ordinance that would decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia in public places — moving the measure to the full Minneapolis City Council without recommendation after hours of testimony and debate.

The measure, co‑authored by Council Member Jason Chavez and Chair Aurin Chowdhury, is intended to align the city code with the Minnesota Legislature’s 2023 repeal of most paraphernalia penalties. “This is about Minneapolis making a deliberate policy choice to align our city code with the state’s 2023 decision and affirm that we treat drug use as a health issue not a criminal one,” Council Member Jason Chavez said during the presentation.

Supporters — including public‑health researchers, syringe‑service providers and harm‑reduction advocates — told the committee they expect decriminalization to increase access to services and reduce disease. Arielle McHenry of Impact MN said, “When people don't fear criminal charges for drug paraphernalia possession, positive outcomes follow. They're more likely to dispose of used syringes properly and to seek harm‑reduction services.” Jay Owen of the Aliveness Project described how syringe services reduce HIV transmission and urged the council to align city law with state policy.

Residents and business owners raised concerns about public safety and neighborhood livability, pointing to examples from other jurisdictions and saying changes could increase visible public drug use. Julie Kosinski, a Ward 9 homeowner, said she had found used drug paraphernalia in parks and public spaces and warned that “this does not work” in the way some advocates suggest.

City attorneys and staff cautioned the committee that state law permits local variation and that the change is a policy choice, not a state mandate. Heidi Johnston, a managing attorney in the city's Criminal Division, said the current city ordinance treats public‑place possession as a misdemeanor and that courts and prosecutors have applied a range of responses in practice.

After extensive questions from council members about enforcement tools, diversion, partnerships with Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Health Department, the authors moved the ordinance forward. The committee voted to send the ordinance to the full council for consideration without a committee recommendation; further amendments and votes are expected at the council meeting.

What happens next: the full City Council will consider the proposal at the upcoming Thursday meeting. If passed, the city would take steps to update enforcement guidance, and staff said they would report back on operational details and proposed training for affected agencies.

The committee also advanced related public‑safety and community items during the long session, including funding for culturally specific mental‑health services at the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center and an emergency housing‑voucher pilot for 100 households administered by Minneapolis Public Housing Authority with Hennepin County coordinated‑entry referrals. Those items were discussed later in the meeting and were advanced for council consideration.

The committee hearing drew dozens of speakers and ran through a long public‑comment period; officials said the discussion will continue as the ordinance proceeds to the full council.