Minnesota, 23rd U.S. state to legalize cannabis

Minnesota's Democratic governor, Tim Waltz, signed the bill legalizing the recreational use of cannabis in the state on Tuesday.

With this signing, Minnesota becomes the 23rd U.S. state to legalize cannabis for adult use and the third Midwestern state to do so after the Michigan in 2019 and the Missouri in 2022.

«This has been a long journey involving many people,» said Tim Walz. «What we know today is that prohibition doesn't work. We have criminalized a large number of people who will be able to begin the process of having their criminal records expunged.»

«We'll need a little time to get this program up and running. We will be appointing people to positions that will allow them to manage this project,» he added. «But I can assure Minnesotans that we've put a lot of thought into it. A lot of things learned in other states are incorporated into the way we do things, and the thinking around this legislation gives us a very good guiding principle.».

Minnesota just became the 23rd state in the nation to legalize adult-use cannabis.

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- Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) May 30, 2023

Under the new law, As of August 1, Minnesota residents aged 21 and over will be able to possess up to two ounces (56 grams) of cannabis flowers in public and two pounds (1 kilogram) at home. The law also gives people who have been convicted of cannabis possession the opportunity to clear their criminal records by automatically removing low-level convictions and establishing a review board to determine eligibility for higher-level offenses.

In addition, the legislation creates an Office of Cannabis Management, which will oversee the regulation and sale of cannabis products in the state. Regulators are expected to need 12 to 18 months to set up a system of licensed commercial sales.

Home growing will also become legal in the state on August 1.

«This bill creates a safe, well-regulated legal market, and includes best practices in consumer protection, health and public safety. It also prioritizes a strong conviction reversal program, so that people who have been disproportionately impacted by our current cannabis laws can get on with their lives. It's time to legalize, and I'm proud to carry this bill,» said Zack Stephenson, Democratic state representative and author of the bill, in a press release prior to final passage.