On Wednesday, Minnesota lawmakers advanced a proposal to allow recreational cannabis use for adults 21 and older. The proposal also will automatically expunge minor convictions related to cannabis.

The legislation is sponsored by House Majority leader Ryan Winkler (D), he expects the legislation to move through the remaining committees by the end of April. At this pace, the full chamber will be able to take up the legislation in May.

 The bill passed in the House agriculture committee on an 8-5 party-line vote. It is scheduled to head to the House environment and natural resources committee next, although a hearing has not yet been scheduled.

The Democrats launched the push for legalization back in February. The legislation has a good chance of making it through the House, but it faces opposition in the GOP-controlled Senate. Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said the issue is not a priority for this legislative session. Lawmakers have implied that they are more interested in revising the existing medical cannabis program than enacting legalization for recreational cannabis.

Recently, NY approved a recreational cannabis legalization bill, which the governor signed into law.

Winkler tweeted, “We’re falling behind a national movement towards progress. MN has some of the worst criminal justice disparities in the country, and legalizing cannabis & expunging convictions is a first step towards fixing that.”

What is in the Bill?

The bill will prioritize social equity. As a result, the bill will automatically expunge records for people with cannabis charges. One of the goals of this legislation is to ensure diverse licensing. Corporate businesses will have regulations placed on them to prevent monopolies.

Lawmakers will ban local municipalities from prohibiting cannabis businesses from operating in their area. This bill will also allow cannabis delivery services and on-site consumption.

There will be a 10 percent tax on retail cannabis sales. Moreover, a portion of the revenue would fund a grant program designed to promote economic development and community stability.

The bill also calls for the establishment of a seven-person cannabis management board. They would be responsible for regulating the market and issuing cannabis business licenses. People with a social justice background would also be on the board.

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