The Minnesota Senate passed a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana use in the state. It is now headed to the office of Governor Tim Walz, who has already stated that he is "proud to sign it into law":
Legalizing adult-use cannabis and expunging cannabis convictions is good for our economy and the right move for Minnesota.
When the bill reaches my desk, I’ll be proud to sign it into law.— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) April 28, 2023
The rule would go into effect on Aug. 1 and will allow adults 21 and older to carry up to two ounces of cannabis in public and possess up to two pounds at their residence. It would also make Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana and the third in the Midwest.
Legislation expunges cannabis-related misdemeanor convictions
The rule would create a State Cannabis Management Office, charged with overseeing the legal trade of the drug. It would also expunge prior convictions for misdemeanors related to the purchase and consumption of marijuana. This clause has been much debated. The Minnesota Association of Chiefs of Police and the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association have expressed concerns because of the chaos it could create regarding public safety.
State Congressman Zach Stephenson, a sponsor of the bill, warned that expunging records of cannabis-related convictions would take time:
4) Starting right away, we will begin the process of expunging tens of thousands of cannabis convictions. But it took 50 years to create all those convictions, and it will take months, even years, to complete this process.
— Zack Stephenson (@zackstephenson) May 19, 2023
Some Republican legislators, such as Carla Nelson, expressed their opposition to the rule:
Our law enforcement is against this bill. There are just too many questions about how, if, we can ensure public safety. Number one is we don't have a reliable road test.
The bill, introduced in January, was reviewed and approved by 16 committees before reaching the floor of Congress. In its current version, it would allow a person over 21 years of age to:
Possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower in a public place or 1.5 pounds in a person's residence; Possessing or transporting no more than 8 grams of adult-use cannabis concentrate; Possessing or transporting edible products infused with up to 800 milligrams of THC; Giving away cannabis flowers and products in an amount that is legal for a person to possess in public; Using cannabis flowers and cannabis products with cannabis in private areas; and Growing up to eight cannabis plants, up to four of which may be mature flowering plants.
