ST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) — Surrounded by dozens of individuals sporting inexperienced garments, Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed a invoice Tuesday to legalize leisure marijuana for folks over the age of 21, making Minnesota the twenty third state to legalize the substance for adults.
Former Gov. Jesse Ventura, who supported legalization when he served from 1999-2003, attended the signing ceremony. Walz stated in November that Ventura could be invited as a result of Ventura was one of many first governors within the nation to help legalization.
Below the brand new regulation, it will likely be authorized by Aug. 1 to own, use and develop marijuana at house. Possession of hashish flower can be restricted to 2 kilos (0.9 kilos) at house and a pair of ounces (56 grams) in public. Stricter caps can be positioned on hashish merchandise with concentrated THC.
Retail gross sales at dispensaries will in all probability be at the least a yr away. As soon as licensed, shops will cost gross sales tax plus a ten% hashish tax.
Minnesotans who’ve been convicted of misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor possession may also get their information mechanically expunged. Nevertheless, the Bureau of Prison Apprehension has estimated it can take till August of subsequent yr to course of all instances. Others with extra severe convictions, akin to these with possession offenses that exceeded even the brand new limits, can also have the ability to apply for lowered sentences.
Democrats took full management of state authorities when the Legislature convened for its 2023 session, marking the primary time in eight years they’ve held the “trifecta” of the Senate, Home and governor’s workplace. With that energy, they handed a protracted listing of legislative priorities — together with legalization — that the earlier Senate Republican majority had blocked.
Walz has lengthy been a supporter of legalizing leisure marijuana for adults. In 2021, the Democratic-controlled Home handed a legalization invoice with a number of Republicans voting sure, however the GOP-controlled Senate by no means gave it a vote.
Final yr, the Legislature handed a invoice legalizing THC in edible or drinkable type if it’s derived from hemp. Many lawmakers apparently didn’t understand what they had been doing because it sailed by beneath the radar. Low-strength gummies and drinks have been on sale since July.
Former Gov. Ventura stated in November that Walz had referred to as him up the day after his reelection and stated he anticipated a brand new legalization invoice to go. Ventura, an unbiased who doesn’t normally make endorsements, backed Walz over Republican Scott Jensen, and stated legalization was one of many many the explanation why.
Trisha Ahmed is a corps member for the Related Press/Report for America Statehouse Information Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit nationwide service program that locations journalists in native newsrooms to report on under-covered points. Observe Trisha Ahmed on Twitter: @TrishaAhmed15
