A bill to legalize marijuana for adult use stalled and was killed by the Minnesota state Senate. Likewise, an option to create a task force to further research the idea did not pass a vote.
The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee voted 6-3 to not advance the bill. They also voted no recommendation on the measure. One of the co-sponsors, speaking at the committee meeting, noted he does not support this legislation either. Instead, he prefers the legislature pursue measures to decriminalize the drug.
The bill had guidelines for adult use of marijuana by those age 21 and older, required licensing for retailers and purchase of marijuana to be from those approved retailers only and set out stipulations for the regulators to uphold in regard to both cultivation and testing businesses.
Reportedly, a number of committee members requested more information, but a motion to table the bill until that information could be gathered was also voted down. An effort for one of the co-sponsors to withdraw the bill was noted, but the committee chair moved to vote on an amended version of the bill rather than allow the withdrawal to take place.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is in support of legislation to legalize, noting the move would mean jobs, tax revenue and opportunity for state residents while being a move in the right direction to protect the state’s youth. Despite his support of the legislative move, no bill has made progress through the Senate in relation to that subject.
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