Minnesota Lawmakers Introduce Cannabis Legalization Bill, Gov. Walz Says He'll Sign It

Some Minnesota lawmakers say they hope 2023 will be the year recreational cannabis is legalized as efforts continue despite the fact that the state Senate did not pass a similar measure in 2021.

Bill To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis

On Thursday, House Democrats introduced a bill that would allow 21-year-olds to buy, sell and use cannabis. It would also automatically expunge low-level cannabis convictions, reported CBS Minnesota.

"Our bill will create a safe, well-regulated, legal marketplace where Minnesotans can grow, buy and sell cannabis if they choose to do so," said Rep. Zack Stephenson, of Coon Rapids. “Minnesotans deserve the freedom and respect to make responsible decisions about cannabis decisions themselves. I believe 2023 will be the year we legalize adult-use cannabis.” 
Bill introduced today and the first committee next week. There are *a lot* of committee stops, so won’t be quick #mnleg pic.twitter.com/Q87drvMVtq

— Caroline Cummings (@CaroRCummings) January 5, 2023

As reported by a local news outlet, the bill will create the Office of Cannabis Management to monitor all things involving cannabis and hemp.

“We designed this bill to address the wrongs of prohibition, to bring people out of the illicit market and into a regulated market, which means that we tried to not have a really high tax on cannabis so that it can compete,” said Aisha Gomez, House Taxes chair.

A Measure That Would Expunge Cannabis Convictions

Although a long vetting process is needed before the bill passes, Gov. Tim Walz said he would sign it when it gets to his desk. "It's time to legalize adult-use cannabis and expunge cannabis convictions in Minnesota. I'm ready to sign it into law," the governor said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, a 2020 report from the ACLU of Minnesota showed the state ranks eighth in the nation for the largest racial disparities in marijuana possession arrests. The analysis found that Black people in the state are 5.4 times more likely to be arrested than white Minnesotans, despite comparable usage rates.

Legalization Efforts: The Minnesota House passed a bill last to allow adult-use recreational cannabis, which included provisions for expunging low-level cannabis convictions, but it failed in the Senate where Republicans rejected it.

Then, in July 2022, a new law went into effect that allowed people over 21 to buy edibles and beverages that contain a limited amount of THC. The provision was a part of a health and human services measure yet it also legalized the production and sale of edible products with THC. At the time, Sen. Jim Abeler (R), claimed he didn't realize the new law would legalize edibles with delta-9 THC, but would merely regulate delta-8 THC products. 

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Photo: Courtesy Of Alex Person On Unsplash