After being passed by 15 committees in the House of Representatives, the full chamber is finally set to consider legislation to legalize marijuana this Monday.
“Big news! My bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in Minnesota has been scheduled for a vote in the MN House on Monday”, said State Representative Zack Stephenson on Twitter. “We’re very close to getting this done and gaining momentum every day!!” Representative Stephenson is referring to House Bill 100 to legalize marijuana for everyone 21 and older.
A companion bill to HB 100 – SF 73 – needs just one more committee vote before it can be considered by the full Senate. In addition to legalizing marijuana, both measures would also automatically expunge past marijuana convictions.
HB 100 and SF 73 would legalize the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana and the private cultivation of up to eight marijuana plants. It would establish a regulatory framework for licensed marijuana retail outlets, with a newly created Cannabis Management Office charged with overseeing the legal marijuana industry. The measure would establish an 8% marijuana excise tax, on top of the state’s standard 6.8% sales tax.
“Minnesotans deserve the freedom and respect to make their own decisions about cannabis—and this bill is about providing them with that opportunity”, says Representative Stephenson. “It’s time. Minnesotans are ready, Our current laws related to cannabis are doing more harm than good.”
If HB 100 and SF 73 both pass their respective chambers, a conference committee will need to be established in order to concur on amendments. If both chambers agree on the same framework for a bill, it will be sent to Governor Tim Walz for consideration.
