Measure Sets Up Responsible Regulations for Consumers, Businesses, Expunges Low-Level Cannabis Convictions, Targets Help to Communities
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) said the Senate on Friday passed a bill to legalize cannabis for Minnesotans over the age of 21 that sets up responsible regulations, addresses racial disparities, and expunges past low-level cannabis convictions.
Majority Leader Dziedzic said the cannabis legalization bill, authored by Sen. Lindsey Port (DFL-Burnsville), will set up a regulatory framework for the sale and use of cannabis and makes criminal justice reforms, including automatically expunging low-level cannabis convictions and establishing a Cannabis Expungement Board to review convictions that are not automatically expunged.
“This bill is the product of hundreds of discussions with Minnesotans across the state, who are ready for the legalization of adult-use Cannabis and to expunge low-level convictions that have harmed far too many Minnesotans – especially our communities of color,” said Majority Leader Dziedzic. “This bill went through virtually every Senate committee and includes amendments from both DFLers and Republicans. It had input from local leaders, legal and health experts, and the business community. Senator Port worked with the members on both sides of the aisle on the many Senate Committees. They put in the time and effort to ensure this bill works for Minnesotans.”
““The prohibition on cannabis has had tremendously negative impacts on the lives of Minnesotans, especially our communities of color, and it is time for us to change course and create a system that works,” said Sen. Port. “We have had a thorough conversation with fellow legislators, members of the communities, and stakeholders throughout the state in making sure our bill works for Minnesota, and it does. It’s time to legalize, regulate, and expunge.”
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