MN Democrats Introduce Bill To Legalize, Tax Recreational Marijuana

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota Democrats on Thursday announced plans to use their newly-won majority at the state capitol to legalize marijuana.

Lawmakers from the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party introduced a bill that would legalize cannabis for adults 21 years or older. It would also automatically expunge some cannabis convictions and provides a framework and regulations around what would be a fully-legalized marketplace.

"Minnesotans are ready. 2023 is the year we legalize adult use cannabis in Minnesota," tweeted Rep. Zack Stephenson, one of the House authors of the bill. Sen. Lindsey Port introduced companion legislature in the Minnesota Senate.

It's not clear how many state Republicans will support legalization, but it also might not matter. Following November's landslide election for Minnesota Democrats, they now control the governor's mansion and both chambers of the state legislature.

"We have a pro-legalization majority," said Rep. Jessica Hanson, of Burnsville, at a different news conference earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the group "Minnesotans Against Marijuana Legalization" said any potential law should "provide law enforcement with sufficient resources to address additional impaired drivers" and "address social justice and decriminalization separately from commercialization."

The first committee hearing for the bill is on Jan. 11. If passed, the legislation would take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Read the full bill below:

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.