Is A Recreational Marijuana Bill Getting Closer In Minnesota?

It would seem that we may be getting closer to a recreational marijuana bill in Minnesota but I wouldn't hold my breath on it passing but I'm keeping my fingers and eyes crossed.

The bill being "considered" would allow adults over 21 to purchase and possess an ounce and a half of marijuana and grow up to 8 plants.  in a hearing that lasted less than an hour the Environmental and Natural Resources and Finance and Policy Committee passed the bill in a 11-7 vote.

One of the sponsors of the bill, House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler says "We have an opportunity to create the kind of new industry that can be a model for not only how to be inclusive and how to repair past wrongs, but also to do so in a way that upholds very high environmental standards."

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The committee made some changes to the original bill. Some of those changes included delivery of marijuana and rules about flavored marijuana. According to the change concerning flavored pot, marijuana can only taste like the plant.

Now the bill goes to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee for a vote next week and will most likely get through all committees and get to the floor for a full vote next month.

Unfortunately, that's where it may die at the hands of the GOP controlled Senate. They seem to know what's good for us, right?  Wrong, the people of Minnesota for the most part want this bill to pass.  A poll from last year shows 51% of Minnesotans are in favor of legalized recreational marijuana and 37% oppose it.

The people have spoken, now pass that joint, I mean bill.