The Minnesota marijuana legalization will have a House vote later this week. The sponsor of the bill, Ryan Winkler, is optimistic that it could pass the full legislature. But only if the GOP-controlled Senate allows a vote on it.
This measure has made its way through 12 committees since February. The bill will allow adults 21 and over to purchase and possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to eight plants, four of which can be mature.
Throughout its journey through the 12 House panels, there have been doubts about the likelihood it will advance in the Senate. On Sunday Winkler said in an interview, if Republican leadership gave it a vote, “it absolutely could pass.”
Winkler talked about the priorities of the Minnesota marijuana legalization bill. In the first place, the focus was on support for the legalization of cannabis for recreational or personal use. By the same token lawmakers wanted to ensure that Minnesota has a safe and regulated marketplace. As well as expunging criminal records for people who have been unfairly targeted for cannabis in the past. Not to mention ensuring that lawmakers create a marketplace that reflects Minnesota’s values.
Prospects in the Senate
Many people following this bill are concerned about the chances it will pass in the Republican-led Senate. When asked about this issue Winkler said it, “absolutely could pass.”
Winkler pulled from many sources to cite his confident stance. It is important to realize public polling on the issue is positive. Not to mention that South Dakota voted to approve legalization last year.
“It cuts across both parties,” Winkler said. “I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t pass both houses if the vote can come up in the Senate.”
Either way, there is one provision of the proposal that Winkler is not willing to budge on. In a tweet on Monday, he said that “expunging existing cannabis offenses is a non-negotiable piece of our legalization bill. This is an economic and criminal justice issue.”
Republican Support for Minnesota Marijuana Legalization
Republican support remains an open question in both chambers. But the proposal has earned the support of multiple GOP members throughout its journey through all twelve committees.
This is despite several Republicans generally signaling that they are more interested in revising the existing medical cannabis program than enacting legalization of adult-use marijuana.
But a GOP member of the House Taxes Committee, which passed the legalization bill last week, indicated that he felt an amendment he introduced and that was adopted could boost Republican support.
This revision directs remaining cannabis revenue to a tax relief account after implementation costs and substance misuse treatment and prevention programs receive funding.
Past and Future Actions
This bill has made its way through more committees than any other piece of legislation. Making it perhaps the most thoroughly vetted legalization measure to move through a state legislature. One benefit of this is that the majority of the House has already had the chance to review, propose amendments, and vote on the legislation. It potentially increases the chances of it passing in the chamber.
When the bill was introduced, it was identical to a proposal Winkler filed last year, with minor changes. However, at the time it did not advance through that session.
In the current state of the legislation, social equity will be a priority. Partially by ensuring diverse licensing and preventing corporate players from monopolizing the market. As well as expunging prior marijuana records.
In the proposal it will allow on-site consumption sites and delivery services. Unlike many other legal states, local municipalities will be banned from prohibiting marijuana businesses from operating in their areas.
Retail cannabis sales will have a 10 percent tax and part of the revenue will fund a grant program to promote economic development and community stability.
The bill will establish a seven-person Cannabis Management Board. It will be responsible for regulating the market and issuing cannabis business licenses. Also, some members of the board will need a social justice background.
Residents who live in low-income neighborhoods and military veterans who lost honorable status due to a cannabis-related offense will be considered social equity applicants. They will be eligible for priority licensing.
Cannabis retail sales will launch on December 31, 2022.
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