The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana.
Last week, the Minnesota House passed a bill with all but one DFL member voting for it on a 71-59 vote, with the Minnesota Senate on Friday passing it 34-33, with all DFL senators voting in favor.
Numerous law enforcement officials and Republican party members are against this legislation, as we hear from Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs and District 2 Senator Steve Green.
Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs
State Senator Steve Green
The author of the House version of the bill, Rep. Zach Stephenson, says his bill rights the wrongs of cannabis prohibition, including automatic expungement of prior petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor marijuana convictions.
Stephenson also noted that the majority of Minnesotans support legal marijuana.
Governor Tim Walz has previously signaled he’d sign a recreational cannabis bill on his desk.
Some differences exist between the House and Senate versions, such as more local control in the Senate version, allowing cities and counties to limit the number of cannabis businesses within their jurisdictions.
The House bill also has a lower possession limit, at 1.5 pounds, versus the Senate’s 5-pound in-home possession limit.
