Minnesota House passes new bill legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults aged 21 and older
The bill, which passed 71-59, received support from two Republicans who joined forces with all but one Democrat
Now, the proposal will head to the Senate and be considered to be passed into law
The Minnesota House passed a recreational marijuana bill with a vote of 71-59 on Tuesday, Apr. 25, that would allow adults aged 21 years and above to buy, sell, and use cannabis without facing criminal prosecution.
The decision allows the state to join nearly two dozen other regions that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. The bill passed with two Republican lawmakers joining all but one Democrat in supporting the bill.
Minnesota House Passes New Marijuana Bill
United States authorities started the debate regarding the proposal on Monday night before adjourning and resuming talks the following day. In a statement, Rep. Zack Stephenson, the bill's author, said that Minnesota residents deserve the freedom and respect to make their own decisions regarding the recreational use of marijuana, as per CBS News.
With the bill's passing, officials will create a new state Office of Cannabis Management, which will be responsible for oversight. Residents in Minnesota looking to start new businesses with cannabis are required to apply for state licenses to grow, manufacture, or sell cannabis at dispensaries.
The newly-passed bill would allow anyone to keep 1.5 pounds of cannabis flower in their homes, grow up to eight plants at a time, and have two ounces in a public place. The legislation is the culmination of hours-long testimony and 16 committee hearings.
It would automatically remove low-level cannabis convictions and create an expungement board that would consider felony offenses. Supporters of the bill said that it reflects a core goal of the proposal: correcting the mistakes of cannabis prohibition that disproportionately harmed people of color.
Disproportionately Affecting People of Color
During a floor debate on Monday prior to the passing of the bill, Stephenson said that current laws have failed. He added that decades' worth of data showed that Minnesotans are entitled to the legal use of cannabis because old regulations are doing more harm than good, according to Marijuana Moment.
The delay in the process of passing the bills came as lawmakers considered public feedback and worked to revise policies surrounding topics such as tax structures for the market and tighten up the language.
Stephenson added that for the last three years, Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) members have worked and listened to create a state-specific model for the legalization of cannabis. He noted that the recent bill would create a safe and well-regulated legal marketplace for marijuana.
The lawmaker added that the bill includes the best practices for consumer protection, health, and public safety. It also focuses on a robust expungement program that would allow individuals disproportionately affected by previous laws to move on with their lives, said Fox9.
