(KNSI) – Minnesota is a step closer to becoming the latest state to legalize recreational marijuana.
The Minnesota House approved the bill in a 71 to 59 vote to allow adult-use cannabis. The law would require a person to be at least 21 to buy, sell, grow, or possess marijuana. A person would be allowed to have up to two ounces of marijuana flower anywhere and up to 1.5 pounds in their home. People could grow up to eight plants, with no more than four allowed to mature at a time and possess up to eight grams of cannabis concentrate and 800 milligrams of THC edibles. Use would be limited to private property. Marijuana products couldn’t be sold without a license, with violations subject to fines.
Current law allows edibles to be made from hemp-derived THC and can’t be more potent than 5 milligrams per dose and 50 milligrams per package.
The legislation directs the Department of Employment and Economic Development to give grants to nonprofit corporations to subsidize startup loans to microbusinesses. Funds are also available to help businesses train employees.
The law also provides for automatic expungement of prior petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor marijuana convictions and creates a Cannabis Expungement Board to review other convictions to determine if they are eligible.
The bill would establish an Office of Cannabis Management to oversee the industry. If approved, the legislation would go into effect on July 1st, 2023.
Rep. Dan Wolgamott of St. Cloud co-authored the bill. “Minnesota’s outdated cannabis laws are doing more harm than good. Our bill will legalize cannabis for adults while creating a responsible regulatory framework. Minnesotans deserve the freedom to make their own decisions about whether or not they consume cannabis.”
The Minnesota Senate is debating the legislation and is expected to vote on Friday. If the Senate approves, the two bills will meet in committee to hash out their differences before going to Governor Walz, who says he will sign it.
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