The Minnesota House of Representatives has refused to agree to changes the Senate made to a marijuana legalization bill that has now been passed through both chambers.
After refusing to concur with the Senate’s changes, the House officially requested a conference committee of five members from each chamber to be established to hash out the difference between the two versions of HF 100. It’s expected that the Senate will agree to this request, which will allow a committee to be promptly established. Once the committee comes to an agreement on what the specific language should be, each chamber would vote one final time, sending the proposal to Governor Tim Walz. Governor Walz is expected to sign the proposal into law once given the chance.
In the House, HF 100 was passed by a vote of 87 to 59. In the Senate, the margins were razor thin, with members voting 34 to 33. The two versions of the bill are very similar. Both would allow those 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, purchasable at licensed marijuana retail outlets. The personal cultivation of up to eight plants would also be allowed.
Both version of the bill are very similar, with a couple specific differences. Both would allow those 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, purchasable at licensed marijuana retail outlets. The personal cultivation of up to eight plants would also be allowed.
Both versions would allow past marijuana charges to be automatically expunged. Marijuana would be taxed at 10% in addition to the state’s standard 6.8% sales tax, and a newly-created Office of Cannabis Management would be tasked with handling licenses and regulations for the legal marijuana industry. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension would handle expungements.
The primary contention relates to local control.
The House-approved version of HF 100 would prohibit cities from placing a local ban on marijuana shops. It does this by having licensure handled entirely by the state. The Senate-approved version of HF 100 gives cities much more control over marijuana stores including locations and regulations.
You can find the full text of the House-approved HF 100 by clicking here. You can find the Senate-approved version by clicking here.
Update: The Minnesota Senate has agreed to establish a conference committee with 10 members, five from the Senate and five from the House, in order to coalesce around one version of HF 100.
