Minnesota Poised To Legalize Recreational Cannabis
May 2, 2023The Minnesota Senate followed the state House of Representatives last week and approved a bill to legalize recreational cannabis, leaving only the reconciliation process before it heads to the governor’s desk. Governor Tim Walz has expressed support for legalization and promised to sign the bill, saying “Legalizing adult-use cannabis and expunging cannabis convictions is good for our economy and the right move for Minnesota.”
There’s a lot to like in the proposed Minnesota law from a consumer perspective. Adults would be allowed to cultivate up to eight plants at home and, in the Senate version, possess up to five pounds of self-cultivated cannabis at home along with an additional two pounds acquired elsewhere. Prior marijuana records will be automatically expunged. Local municipalities will not be able to ban cannabis businesses but instead will be able to set up government-owned and -operated retail. There will be on-site consumption permits just for events, and delivery services will be legal as well. Taxes will probably be set between 8%-10% on sales.
Minnesota is the latest in this year’s new wave of legalization. It follows the passage of recreational legalization in Delaware last month, as the Northeast continues to consolidate as a legal block, and Maryland’s establishment of the regulatory framework for sales following ballot approval last November. Missouri’s recreational market is also off to a fast start since launching in February. These successes leave Pennsylvania as one of the biggest prizes still remaining. Multiple proposals are in play there, including one that would see cannabis being sold at state-run Fine Wine & Good Spirits locations, but none have been formally introduced yet. Also, a push for recreational cannabis is now gathering steam in Florida, a key medical market.—Danny Sullivan
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