Updated 11:05 a.m.
Final votes are expected later this week on a bill to make marijuana legal in Minnesota.
A House-Senate panel has resolved differences on the bill to decriminalize possession of marijuana starting in August and allow for retail sales sometime in 2024. A range of newly legal cannabis products would be available to adults 21 and older.
Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, said Tuesday he’s confident of passage and hopes for bipartisan support.
“Ultimately what’s really important is that we change these laws because they’re not serving the purpose they were designed to. They’re causing harm to Minnesotans and need to change.”
MPR News is Member supported public media. Show your support today, donate, and ensure access to local news and in-depth conversations for everyone.
Critics of the bill continue to raise concerns about traffic safety, addiction and youth access as the drug becomes more widely available.
The Senate bill author, Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, said this week there is wide public support for the bill.
“If we don’t get bipartisan support in the Legislature, this will be the only place in Minnesota that there’s not bipartisan support for this bill with the people of Minnesota,” Port said. “This is supported across party, independents, Republicans, Democrats, people who don’t follow the Legislature. Minnesotans want this bill, whether the legislature actually follows suit on that or not remains to be seen.”
It could be a day…
