April 27, 2023
A bill legalizing adult-use cannabis passed the House floor on April 25 on a 71-59 vote. The Senate is expected to take up its version of the bill on April 28.
HF 100 (Stephenson, DFL – Coon Rapids) would legalize and regulate the recreational use of cannabis for those 21 and older in Minnesota. The bill would also create an expungement process to automatically lift previous cannabis-related, low-level convictions off of individual's’ criminal records.
The House bill initiates a tax on cannabis products at 8% (as opposed to 10% in the Senate) and allocates revenue towards addiction treatment and recovery services, which the MMA supports if the legislation is to become law. Additionally, both bills restrict use in school zones and other public areas and include penalties for marketing to children – also an MMA-backed item if the bill proceeds. A label requirement on cannabis products outlining the effect of brain development up to age 25 is also included in both House and Senate versions.
During the House floor debate, Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar) offered an amendment to increase the legal purchasing age to 25. In his statement on the amendment, Baker echoed concerns from the MMA, the Minnesota Psychiatric Society, and other medical groups, over effects the drug has on brain development. “Let's get it right out of the gate,” Baker said. “If it goes in now at 21, it isn’t changing.” The amendment was not adopted.
If the Senta version, SF 73 (Port, DFL – Burnsville), passes, the two bills will go to a conference committee to reconcile differences and then go to Gov. Tim Walz, who has previously indicated he will sign the bill.
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