Cannabis legalization is gaining ground in Minnesota

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State lawmakers in both chambers continue to advance cannabis legislation

2023 continues to look very positive for cannabis legalization in Minnesota. Legislation seeking to make this a reality has again taken major steps forward this past week after successfully making it through additional House and Senate committees.

The amended House File 100 was adopted by the Minnesota House Education Committee late last week. That was the ninth lower House committee that had no problem clearing the measure that is now inching closer to reaching the House floor. Tomorrow it will have to go through a new filter when it is presented to the Health Committee.

The legislation is intended to allow adults 21 and older the ability to purchase up to two ounces of marijuana at licensed retailers for recreational use, as well as allow for the domestic cultivation of up to eight marijuana plants, half of which can be mature. The market will have a special state tax rate of 8%, assures the text of the measure.

In a hearing last week, Rep. Ron Kresha, the top Republican on the Education Committee, made it clear that he is “morally opposed” to legalizing adult use. While this may be the thinking of some other colleagues, support for legalization has so far proven to be dominant. While HF 100’s primary sponsor, Rep. Zack Stephenson, shares Kresha’s concern, he said the measure is bound to undermine many social problems that, in reality, already exist both in Minnesota and the country.