Update: Recreational Cannabis Legislation Signed by MN Gov. Tim Walz

ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made good on his promise to sign a recreational cannabis bill into law on Tuesday, according to CBS News.

The 300-page legislation allows adults over the age of 21 to possess up to two pounds of cannabis at home and two ounces while in public starting August 1st. Additionally, the bill aims to eliminate the illicit black market by establishing a well-regulated system of state-licensed businesses operating throughout the entire state.

“While Minnesota might be the 23rd state to legalize cannabis, I think we’ve passed the best bill in the country that Minnesotans can be really proud of,” said state Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, a co-author of the bill.

The legislation also establishes a process for granting licenses to businesses involved in the cultivation, manufacturing, and retail sale of marijuana through dispensaries. Individuals can apply for 12 different licenses for use in the recreational market, as well as addiotnal licenses for medical cannabis.

“It’s going take us a bit of time to get this up and going,” said Gov. Walz. “But I assure Minnesotans that a lot of thought has gone into this. A lot of the things learned in other states are incorporated into how we do this and the thoughtfulness around this legislation gives us a really good guiding principle.”  

Also included in the law is an expungement clause for all non-felony cannabis offenders, in which their records will be automatically wiped clean.

“The people of Minnesota, especially, have been educated now and they understand that cannabis – all drugs and all forms of things have an upside and a downside to them – but cannabis’ upside is so much, much more and good than any downside,” invoked former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.

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