Cannabis Bill Moves Through Health Committee with Warning Label

March 2, 2023

A bill, SF 73 (Port, DFL – Burnsville), legalizing adult-use cannabis in Minnesota passed another committee and was referred to the Senate Human Services Committee following a multi-day hearing in the Health and Human Services Committee on February 21 and 28.

The MMA shared a letter with the committee, in which the MMA urged members to recognize that legalizing adult use of cannabis will have an impact on the health of Minnesotans. In the letter, the MMA noted that research has consistently shown that human brain development and maturation is not complete until the age of 25. Therefore, individuals under age 25 should be prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or using cannabis or cannabis-infused products.

The committee adopted an amendment, strengthening the warning label by requiring that it include information on the effects of cannabis use on brain development for those up to age 25. The amendment greatly improves the public health portions of the bill.

The MMA continues to stress the need to acknowledge the health risks related to cannabis use and asks that any legislation that is approved include limits on how the product is marketed and sold, limits the sale to children, and includes strong labeling requirements.