On Saturday, another House committee approved a bill to legalize marijuana. This brings the total number of panels to approve the Minnesota marijuana legalization bill to 10.

The Health Finance and Policy Committee passed the legislation with a vote of 11-8.

The measure is sponsored by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (D), Speaker Melissa Hortman (D), and other lawmakers. It will allow adults 21 and over to purchase and possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis. They will be able to cultivate up to eight plants. Four of which can be mature.

Winkler told the committee that the bill “seeks to create a legalized regulated marketplace for cannabis, and to end criminal prohibition of cannabis and all of the racial inequity associated with the criminal prohibition of cannabis.”

During Saturday’s hearing, Rep. Jeremy Munson (R) introduced an amendment that would have gutted the legalization bill and replaced it with provisions to simply decriminalize possession of marijuana and certain cannabis preparations, along with paraphernalia. The committee chair ruled that the proposal was out of order. Since it dealt with criminal penalties and was not within the scope of the health panel’s jurisdiction.

Now the number of committees that have passed the Minnesota marijuana legalization bill entered double digits. It is one of the most thoroughly vetted reform measures to move through a state legislature and there is still more to come.

Previously, the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy committee passed the proposal. The next stop will be the House Taxes Committee, but Winkler anticipates a floor vote this month.

The Future of the Legislation

If the bill makes its way through the House and to the Senate, it will have an uphill battle to pass.

In the Republican-controlled Senate, lawmakers have indicated that they are more interested in revising the existing medical cannabis program. As opposed to enacting the legalization of adult-use cannabis.

As part of the legislation, social equity will be a priority. The legislation will ensure large corporations cannot monopolize the market. It will also ensure diverse licensing. Another step it will take is to expunge prior marijuana records.

On-site consumption and cannabis delivery services will be legal. In addition to this, the bill will prohibit local municipalities from banning or prohibiting marijuana businesses from operating in their areas.

The retail cannabis sales will have a 10 percent tax. A portion of the revenue will go towards funding a grant program designed to promote economic development and community stability.

The retail sales for cannabis would launch in December 2022.

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