By On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Waltz signed the cannabis legalization bill into law, officially making Minnesota the 23rd state in the nation to legalize recreational cannabis.
At Tuesday’s signing ceremony, Waltz admitted that prohibition “doesn’t work,” adding that he and fellow lawmakers are considering starting a process of killing eligible Minnesotans. Waltz also said adults should be allowed to make their own decisions “about these kinds of choices.”
“We have long known that banning cannabis is ineffective. By legalizing adult-use cannabis, we will grow our economy, create jobs, and keep Minnesotans safe. We’re regulating the industry for the sake of it,” Waltz said. “Legalizing marijuana use by adults and revoking or recognizing marijuana convictions will strengthen communities. This is the right move for Minnesota.”
300 pages Specification It aims to allow recreational marijuana use to adults 21 and older in the state, transforming the current illegal market into a regulated state-licensed business statewide. Specifically, it will create a new regulatory framework for licensing cannabis businesses that grow, manufacture and sell cannabis in retail pharmacies. In the recreational market, you can apply for a total of 12 different licenses to operate, in addition to additional licenses for medical cannabis.
The law also cancels low-level cannabis convictions. The new law will automatically eliminate non-felony cannabis crimes and create a commission to review more serious cannabis crimes. According to the bill, the Criminal Enforcement Service’s automatic record erasure process will begin on August 1.
The bill was designed with social fairness in mind, and includes veterans and active-duty military personnel disgraced for cannabis crime, farmers in underrepresented communities, and “disproportionately large amounts of cannabis. It provides social equity to the residents of “regions that have experienced “
A Cannabis Control Agency will also be created to oversee the regulation and sale of cannabis products in Minnesota.
Additionally, the bill legalizes the possession of up to two pounds of cannabis in private residences and restricts home cultivation by adults over the age of 21. Minnesota adults are allowed up to 2 ounces in public. The law allows adults to grow up to eight cannabis plants (including four mature flowering plants) at home.
Starting August 1, it will be legal for adults over the age of 21 to own a car.
“Minnesota may be the 23rd state to legalize cannabis, but I think we passed the best legislation in the country that Minnesotans can be really proud of,” said Congressman Zack Stevenson, co-author of the bill. DFL Coon Rapids) Said WCCO.
Stevenson also said he expects it will take 12 to 18 months before residents and visitors can enter stores and purchase recreational cannabis products. Specifically, he said, “I’m going to hire some people for positions where we can do this,” telling Minnesotans that lawmakers are “fully considering” the bill and its path forward. Guaranteed.
With the bill moving forward earlier this year, all eyes were on Minnesota. More than 20 legislative committees reviewed the bill, and the Minnesota House and Senate approved separate cannabis legalization bills in late April. A conference committee reconciled differences between the bills, followed by approval of a consensus bill by the House of Representatives on May 18. Ultimately, the bill passed the Senate on May 20 and was expected to be sent to Waltz’s desk, where he signed it into law.
The newly passed bill is also in line with the public opinion of most Minnesotans.Recent poll A survey by KSTP-TV and SurveyUSA found that 64% of registered voters are in favor of adult cannabis legalization. Minnesota legalized medical marijuana in 2014.
