SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 600, which would legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use, and expunge the records of those convicted of nonviolent cannabis-related crimes. The legislation passed on a bipartisan vote of 72-61.
“Legalizing adult-use cannabis is the right thing to do,” said Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-Saint Paul). “By creating a regulatory framework, we can address the harms caused by cannabis and at the same time establish reasonable laws to ensure better outcomes for everyone, especially communities of color who have faced the harshest penalties.”
The adult-use cannabis bill would create a responsible regulatory structure focused on developing micro-businesses and a craft market; expunge most cannabis convictions; fund public health awareness, youth access prevention, and substance abuse treatment; provide grants, loans, technical assistance, and training for small businesses; require testing and labeling of products; restrict packaging based on dosage size; and allow limited home grow abilities.
As of Nov. 4, 2020, voters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota approved measures to regulate cannabis for adult-use, in addition to the 11 other states and 3 territories that currently allow adult-use cannabis.
House File 600 has received approval from 12 House committees, including the committees on Commerce; Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs; Business and Workforce Development; Agriculture; Environment and Natural Resources; Judiciary and Civil Law; State Government; Education Finance; Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform; Health; Taxes; and Ways and Means.