ST. PAUL (KFGO) – The Minnesota House late Thursday night on a vote of 73-to-57 passed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana
in the state.
The bill now goes to the Senate and, if it passes there as expected, on to Governor Tim Walz who will likely sign it.
INFO: Beginning August 1st, the bill would permit a person age 21 or older to:
· possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower in a public place or 2 pounds in a person’s residence;
· possess or transport no more than 8 grams of adult-use cannabis concentrate;
· possess or transport edible products infused with up to 800 milligrams of THC;
· give away cannabis flower and cannabinoid products in an amount that is legal for a person to possess in public;
· use cannabis flower and cannabinoid products in private areas; and
· cultivate up to eight cannabis plants, of which four or fewer may be mature, flowering plants.
State officials would begin on August 1st to expunge the criminal records of those with misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor marijuana convictions. Those with more serious offenses could appeal to a special board.
Bill sponsors say it would be 8 to 18 months before licensed dispensaries begin operation.
Cities could limit the number of cannabis dispensaries within their boundaries, with a minimum of one dispensary per 12,500 population.
Cannabis would be taxed at 10 percent.
