Global Courant 2023-04-29 06:50:53
The Minnesota Senate voted Friday to legalize recreational marijuana for adults, but the bill requires more work and negotiation before it can become law.
The vote was 34-33, with all Democrats voting yes and all Republicans voting no. There are several discrepancies between the Senate bill and the companion version passed by the House 71-59 on Tuesday, so a House and Senate conference committee will have to resolve those before final votes take place in each chamber.
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has promised to sign the bill as soon as it reaches his desk. It seeks to replace the illegal marijuana market with a legal and regulated market, and erase the criminal records of residents convicted of nonviolent marijuana offenses such as simple possession.
MINNESOTA LAWMAKER CONSIDERING BILLS THAT WOULD LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA
“Prohibition of cannabis is a failed system that has failed to achieve its desired goals and has created an incredible cost to our communities, especially communities of color,” the lead author, Democratic Senator Lindsey Port of Burnsville, told her colleagues.
Both Minnesota legislatures have approved separate versions of a bill to legalize recreational marijuana. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Port said lawmakers have an “opportunity to reverse some of the damage that has been done and create a unique regulatory system that works for Minnesota consumers and businesses, while at the same time providing an opportunity in this new market for communities that most affected by the ban.”
DELAWARE HOUSE APPROVES LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA
Republican senators argued during the debate that the bill is not ready to become law this year and needs more work. They expressed concern about the impact on road safety and crime, addiction and other mental health issues. They objected because, under the bill, local governments would not be allowed to ban the sale of cannabis if they did not want to. And they said they were not reassured by the experiences of other states that have legalized it.
“We’re opening a door that’s going to be very hard to close, and it’s going to be very hard to get the genie back in the bottle once this happens,” said Maple Grove Republican Senator Warren Limmer, the leader Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. and Public Security.
Both versions of the bill are over 300 pages long. One of the main differences is that the Senate version allows people to own up to 5 pounds of cannabis flowers at home, although only 2 pounds can come from sources other than home-grown. The house limit is 1.5 pounds regardless of source. The tax rate on cannabis products in the Senate bill is 10%, compared to 8% in the House version.
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Minnesota would become the 23rd state after Delaware to legalize adult cannabis. Possession of marijuana would become legal this summer, including growing up to eight plants at a time at home. But sponsors say it will take a year or more of regulatory work before pharmacies can begin retail.
