A day after HF 100 to legalize marijuana was approved by Minnesota’s full House of Representatives 71 to 59, the Senate Finance Committee passed the bill, sending it to the Senate floor.
Rather than taking up SF 73, which is the companion bill to HF 100, the Senate Finance Committee voted on and passed the House-approved HF 100. This sends it to the Senate floor, with a vote scheduled for Friday. If the measure passes the Senate, and the two chambers concur on amendments, it will be sent to Governor Tim Walz for consideration.
HF 100 would legalize the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana for those 21 and older, while also allowing them to cultivate up to eight marijuana plants.
Under the proposal marijuana and marijuana products would be sold through licensed marijuana retail outlets, with regulations and licensing overseen by a newly created Office of Cannabis Management. A big point of contention for Republicans, HF 100 would not allow localities to place a blanket ban on marijuana stores, with licensing handled entirely by the state. An amendment to allow cities to ban marijuana stores was rejected on the House floor by a vote of 59 to 69.
HF 100 would establish an 8% excise tax on marijuana sales, which would be in addition to the state’s standard sales tax.
Under both HB 100 past marijuana possession convictions would be automatically expunged. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension would be responsible for identifying people who are eligible for relief and process the expungements.
