Minnesota lawmakers approved a marijuana legalization bill, with a series of amendments, in a House committee on Wednesday.
It’s the first of what’s expected to be many committee stops for the legislation, which builds on a reform measure that passed the full House in 2021. With majorities in both the House and Senate and control over the governorship this session, Democratic-Farmer-Labor party officials are confident that legalization will be enacted sooner than later.
The House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee approved several amendments to the legislation, which was unveiled last week. The revised bill then passed the panel, which is chaired by the sponsor Rep. Zack Stephenson (D), in a voice vote.
Sen. Lindsey Port (D), who is sponsoring the companion version of the bill in her chamber, said recently that it would also receive committee consideration in that chamber in the coming weeks. In the House, the next stop is the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee.
“Minnesotans are ready. Cannabis should not be illegal in Minnesota,” Stephenson said at the opening of the hearing. “Minnesotans deserve the freedom and respect to make responsible decisions about cannabis themselves. Our current laws are doing more harm than good.”
“Our bill
Read full article on Marijuana Moment
