MN Dems introduce bill to legalize adult-use cannabis

DFL’ers from the Minnesota House and Senate joined advocates today (Thu) to announce legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state.

Rep. Zach Stephenson, the bill’s House author, says it will create a “safe, well-regulated legal marketplace, including best practices for consumer protection, health, and public safety.”

He said it also includes a “robust expungement program, so people who have disproportionately been caught in the criminal justice system due to cannabis can move on with their lives. Minnesota is ready for legalization.”

Stephenson says current laws do more harm than good.

“State and local governments are spending millions enforcing laws that aren’t helping anyone, money that could be put to far better purposes,” he said. “There is a better way, where we’re honest about cannabis and its impact, and model our laws accordingly.”

The bill had its first reading today (Thu). It was referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.

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