Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signs recreational marijuana bill into law

Minnesota has become the 23^rd state in the U.S. to legalize adult-use marijuana as Gov. Tim Walz (DFL) signed House File 100 into law Tuesday. “I assure Minnesotans that a lot of thought has gone into this,” Walz said at the event. “A lot of the things learned in other states are incorporated into how we do this. And the thoughtfulness around this legislation gives us a good guiding principle.” Former Gov. Jesse Ventura (I), who became a vocal pro-cannabis advocate after the plant stopped his wife Terry’s seizures despite the couple having to travel to Colorado to get it, also attended the signing. “It’s been going on longer than I’ve been alive, the prohibition of a plant made by God,” Ventura said. “After years of prohibition, we didn’t want any families to go through what the first lady and I went through. We don’t want anyone to have to do that in Minnesota. Now, today, they will never have to.”

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (I) joins Gov. Tim Walz (D) as he signs a bill legalizing marijuana: “Prohibition will end today on cannabis … a plant made by God. [Gov. Walz and the Legislature], thank you.” “Jimi Hendrix is looking down on Minnesota smiling today.” pic.twitter.com/9ZMiMxBIYi

— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) May 30, 2023

The law will go into effect on Aug. 1, and it will allow adults over the age of 21 to possess no more than two ounces of marijuana flower in public and up to two pounds at their place of residence. The regulation and sale of marijuana will be taxed at 10% and overseen by the new Office of Cannabis Management. All prior low-level misdemeanor convictions will be automatically expunged from criminal records, and more severe offenses will be looked at by a new review board. “This bill creates a safe, well-regulated legal marketplace, and includes best practices for consumer protection, health and public safety,” said state Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids), who sponsored the bill. “It also prioritizes a robust expungement program, so people who have been disproportionately impacted by our current cannabis laws can move on with their lives. It is time for legalization, and I’m proud to carry this bill forward.” Last week, the legislation made its final rounds in the Minnesota state House and Senate, passing mostly on party lines with only five Republicans in the House joining the Democratic majority. All but one of Minnesota’s 33 GOP state senators voted against the bill, with Republican state Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) complaining about its progressive nature to the Associated Press. “The fundamental flaw with this bill is that the starting point of it from proponents has been about creating an industry to fir their ideology,” Rasmusson said. With the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party winning the state Senate and keeping the state House and governorship, Democrats have been proposing and passing several pieces of legislation. These include a ban on conversion therapy, codifying the right to abortion and new gun safety regulations.