Senator Liz Boldon Votes to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Friday, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis in a 34-33 vote. The bill establishes a regulatory and licensing framework and makes reforms to Minnesota’s criminal justice system, including expunging low-level cannabis convictions.

“Legalizing adult personal-use cannabis is a major step forward in legal justice reform and racial equity,” said Senator Liz Boldon (DFL-Rochester). “The prohibition on cannabis has been a failure, and criminal penalties have disproportionately affected BIPOC Minnesotans. This bill recognizes that historical injustice by allowing those who have been convicted of cannabis-related crimes to apply for expungement of their record. The adult-use cannabis law will also support BIPOC Minnesotans entering the cannabis industry through targeted loans and grants. After more than a dozen committee hearings and amendments from members of both parties, this is one of the most thoroughly vetted bills of this session. I am proud to support this legislation that will make Minnesota safer and fairer.”

The House of Representatives passed their legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis on April 25, and now the differences between the House and Senate bills will be worked out in conference committee.

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Assistant LeaderSenate District 25
Senator Liz Boldon represents Senate District 25 which includes Rochester and Oronoco. She is vice chair of the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee, and serves on the Education Policy Committee, Elections Committee, and Health and Human Services Committee.
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