A legalization bill for marijuana in Minnesota has finally made it to the House floor. It has passed through 12 House committees since it was first introduced in February.

The sponsor of the measure, Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, is expecting it to pass with some Republican support on Thursday.

While the legislation has had an exhaustive path through the committee process, it is expected to pass the full floor this week. Winkler is confident the chamber will approve it, considering the number of members that have already had a chance to submit input and amendments. But the prospects are still uncertain in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Throughout the process, through the committee, the legislation has generated significant public interest and media attention. At the very least, the bill has generated support for other, more modest cannabis reform bills.

“By putting this bill front and center and making it such a priority and driving public attention, Republicans are more willing to expand Minnesota’s medical cannabis program,” Winkler said. “They are more open to decriminalizing elements of our current system.”

Of course, for advocates, small reforms would be welcome. But with other states like New York and Virginia legalizing adult-use cannabis, this legalization bill passing would be a significant victory.

Anticipation in the Senate

Earlier Winkler suggested that the proposal could actually pass in the Senate. So far that has been considered the bill’s largest obstacle this session. Members of the chamber will most likely take time to review the legislation. Unfortunately, time is not on the side of the bill. The session will end on May 17.

If the Senate does decline to take up the bill, another option will be to bring it before the voters on the ballot. But in Minnesota, only the legislature itself can refer questions to voters as constitutional amendments.

“I don’t see any prospect for Senate Republicans wanting this on the ballot any more than they would want to pass full legalization,” Winkler said.

This cannabis measure, if passed, will allow adults 21 and over to purchase and possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis. They will be able to cultivate a maximum of eight plants, four of which can be mature.

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