Why it matters: The Minnesota Senate has voted in favor of legalizing adult-use cannabis, making it the 23rd state in the US to do so and the 11th state to allow home-growing. The bill has now been passed to the desk of Governor Tim Walz for final approval.
What they are saying: Democrats are celebrating the victory, with the Coon Rapids representative who sponsored the bill saying that “Today is the day that we are going to vote here in the House for the last time to legalize cannabis and bring the change that many Minnesotans have wanted for a very long time.” Even some Republicans see the benefits of the bill, with one saying that while it’s not perfect, “it is much better than when it [first] left the House.”
The big picture: The bill allows Minnesota residents 21 and older to purchase up to two ounces of cannabis flower, eight grams of concentrate, and 800 milligrams of edible products at a time. Adults can possess those amounts while in public, and within their own home, residents 21 and over can grow up to eight cannabis plants at one time. However, not all Minnesota Republicans are supportive of the bill, with one expressing concern about more people driving under the influence of cannabis.
What to watch: If the bill passes, it could take up to a year or longer before Minnesota sees any legal dispensaries up and running. Starting August 1st, however, Minnesota will decriminalize cannabis possession, legalize home-growing, and begin expunging past marijuana convictions.
Give your take: This is a positive step forward for Minnesota and for the US as a whole. It’s encouraging to see more and more states legalizing cannabis and taking steps to undo the harms of the War on Drugs. It’s important that the industry grows in a responsible and sustainable way, with regulations in place to ensure the safety of consumers and prevent underage use.
