A reform to authorize cannabis in Minnesota will get an initial hearing next week in a House Caucus and legislative officials are asking the public to participate as they acquire testimony on the policy change.
The announcement arrives almost a week after marijuana bill legislation was submitted by Ryan Winkler, House Majority Leader, Speaker Hortman Mellissa and other legislators. It would authorize 21 and older folks to buy and possess not more than 1.5 ounces of marijuana and grow not more than eight crops, four need to be mature.
On 17th February, the House Commerce Finance and Policy Commission will meet to discuss the reform. Zack Stephenson the panel’s chairperson asserted that being a former state prosecutor, he’s witnessed firsthand how Minnesota uses resources on existing marijuana prohibitions.
He added that the state has to be strategic when allocating these resources and become proficient in handling crucial public safety requirements.
Ryan asserted that Minnesota’s current cannabis regulations are causing more damage and that a well-controlled market is more appealing than an illicit market.
He further said that with nearby states, such as South Dakota, passing recreational cannabis reforms through voter referendum, the voters need to create provisions that serve their interests.
The leader’s reform is similar to a reform submitted in 2020, with a few minor technical amendments. Ryan dubbed it the best authorization reform in America at that time. However, the bill didn’t ascend past the legislature.
According to the reform, social equity will be among the top priorities by promoting diverse permits and protecting the marijuana market against corporate monopoly players. Past cannabis cases would also be autonomously expunged.
The proposal would also authorize on-site consumption and marijuana delivery services. Also, local jurisdictions would be prohibited from criminalizing cannabis ventures for running in their regions. Retail marijuana sales would carry a 10% tax.
