Minnesota Senators Approve Major Overhaul Of Marijuana Legalization Bill, With House Previewing Similar Move
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Another pair of Minnesota House and Senate committees have approved legislation to legalize marijuana for adult use in the state—with the latter panel adopting a major overhaul of the measure. The House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee passed the legislation from Rep. Zack Stephenson (D) in a 9-4 vote on Tuesday—the 13th panel in the chamber to advance the reform. Later in the day, the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee became the tenth panel in the chamber to pass its version of the bill, which is being carried by Sen. Lindsey Port (D), with a 8-5 vote. “Minnesotans are ready for this change,” Stephenson told House colleagues. “Current cannabis laws are doing more harm than good, and Minnesotans deserve the freedom and respect to make their own decisions about cannabis.”

Port told senators that “the prohibition of cannabis is a failed system that has not achieved the desired goals and has had incredible costs for our communities, especially for communities of color.” “We have an opportunity today to continue the process to undo some of the harm that has been done and create a system of regulation that works for Minnesota consumers and businesses, while ensuring an opportunity in this new market for communities that have been most affected by prohibition,” she said. “Our main goals are to legalize, regulate and expunge, and we are working to ensure this bill does just that.” While both versions have been amended numerous times on their extensive committee journeys, the Senate panel on Tuesday adopted a comprehensive substitute from the sponsor that is primarily meant to address concerns from industry stakeholders who are operating under a cannabis law enacted last year that legalized low-THC edibles in the state. The amendment would create two new licensing categories, change license…

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Source : Minnesota Senators Approve Major Overhaul Of Marijuana Legalization Bill, With House Previewing Similar Move

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