Walz signs bill legalizing recreational cannabis

Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill on Tuesday that legalizes recreational marijuana for people over the age of 21.

That makes Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize the substance for adult consumption.

Former Gov. Jesse Ventura, who supported legalization when he served from 1999-2003, also attended the signing ceremony. Walz said in November that Ventura was one of the first governors in the country to support legalization.

Under the new measure, it would become legal by Aug. 1 to possess, use and grow marijuana at home. Possession of cannabis flower would be limited to 2 pounds at home and 2 ounces in public. Stricter caps would be placed on cannabis products with concentrated THC.

Retail sales at dispensaries would probably be at least a year away. Once licensed, stores would charge sales tax plus a 10% cannabis tax.

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AP

(Photo: Gov. Walz’s Office)