Thursday, March 28, 2024

Minnesota Votes To Legalize Adult Use Cannabis

For Minnesotans, this is the first time any cannabis legislation for adult use has been approved.

On Thursday, Minnesota’s House of Representatives voted in favor (72-61) of HF 600, a bill that would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over. Unfortunately for the state’s residents, the next step for the bill is getting Senate approval and Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R) has said the Republican caucus is strongly opposed.

This is despite the fact that a recent poll shows that there’s growing support for legalization in the state. Seventy percent of Minnesotans said they were in favor of legal cannabis, which has grown from just 30% in 2014. Eighty-five percent of Democrats want legal marijuana, while only 37% of Republicans say yes. Thirty-eight percent of Republicans in the state have just said no.

Minneapolis Mayor On Canada Marijuana Legalization: We Want In
Photo by Flickr user Doug Kerr

Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies at the Marijuana Policy Project said, “Minnesotans have suffered far too long under prohibition. Rather than continuing to waste resources on enforcing this failed policy, the Senate should heed the will of the voters and pass legislation to legalize cannabis for adults. Legalization would create thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue, and it would reduce unnecessary stops, searches, and arrests that unfairly and unequally target Black Minnesotans.”

The legislation was sponsored by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler and it would legalize possession and cultivation of limited amounts of cannabis, while setting up an equitable, regulated system for cannabis sales. It includes funding for community renewal along with cannabis industry training and start-up funding. The grants would focus on individuals facing barriers to education or​ employment, areas with elevated rates of poverty, workers with less than three years of experience, and farmers.

RELATED: What Does A Conservative State Medical Marijuana Program Look Like?

For Minnesotans, this is the first time any cannabis legislation for adult use has been approved. The Democrat-controlled House chamber voted to approve the measure, thus sending the bill to the Republican-majority Senate for further consideration. Still, the bill had received approval from 12 separate legislative committees.

“It’s time for Minnesota to become a leader in the midwest when it comes to sensible marijuana policy,” said NORML State Policies Manager Carly Wolf. “Not only would the passage of this bill allow police and courts to reprioritize their limited resources toward fighting serious crime rather than interacting with otherwise law-abiding Minnesotans over low-level possession offenses, but it would also provide relief to thousands suffering the collateral consequences of a marijuana arrest and conviction. I strongly encourage members of the Senate to follow the will of their constituents, a majority of whom support this policy change, and consider this common-sense remedy to the failed policy of prohibition.”

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

MUST READ

The Best St. Patrick’s Day Cocktail Recipes

Parades, wearing green and especially drinks - here are the best St. Patrick Day Cocktail recipes.

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR

Don't Miss Your Weekly Dose of The Fresh Toast.

Stay informed with exclusive news briefs delivered directly to your inbox every Friday.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.