![]() Minnesota residents’ legalized medical marijuana in 2014. But, despite the majority of Minnesota residents also being in favor of full adult use recreational legalization, that still hasn’t passed into law. And that’s because the past state Republican majority opposed it. However despite their opposition, and thanks to a creatively written bill, some limited cannabis edibles such as gummies were legalized for adult use. The bill went through the normal reviews and vetting channels, but apparently the Republicans didn’t read it very thoroughly, and so they were surprised to learn they had accidentally passed that form of cannabis. But as for full recreational adult use cannabis legalization in Minnesota, the residents have still been waiting. This past November, though, Minnesota residents voted for a Democratic majority in both the state House and Senate, as well as a Democrat Governor this session. And those officals say they’re confident that recreational legalization in Minnesota will be enacted sooner than later. This week, they got closer to that happening. On Wednesday, January 11th, a Minnesota House committee approved a full cannabis legalization bill, with several amendments. It will need to go before the full House for a vote, and then on to the Governor. Minnesota’s cannabis supporting Governor, Tim Walz, recently said he thinks this all could be passed and done “by May.” And the State Senate Minority Leader, Republican Ryan Winkler, agrees. He spoke with news site ‘Marijuana Moment’ last week and said it’s, “likely that [passing legalization] will be done by May.” Winkler pointed out that the state legislature adjourns at the end of May, so if legalization isn’t passed before then, it would take another full year before the next session opens and the issue can be again addressed. Winkler said, “… I don’t think anything will be improved or bettered by waiting … So it’s in everyone’s interest to get this bill passed.” While the Governor and Senate Minority Leader are optimistic, not everyone else is. The State Senate Majority Leader and Democratic House Speaker, Melissa Hortman, said recently that cannabis reform, “will take a long time” to move through the state legislature. Two polls released in September found that the majority of Minnesota residents support adult-use marijuana legalization—and one survey showed that even more Minnesotans approve of the state’s move to legalize THC-infused edibles that was enacted earlier this year. A survey conducted by officials with the House at the annual State Fair that was released in September also found majority support for legalization. That legislature-run poll found that 61 percent of Minnesotans back legalizing cannabis for adult use. Support was up this year from 58 percent when the House Public Information Services polled fair goers on the issue in 2021. In 2019, the House poll found 56 percent support for legalization. Comments are closed.
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