Minnesota Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Marijuana

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed House File 100 into law, officially making Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana.

The governor’s signature on HF 100 means that starting August 1, those 21 and older in Minnesota will be allowed to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, eight grams of marijuana concentrates and 800mg of marijuana edibles. They will also be allowed to grow up to eight plants and possess up to two pounds at a private residence.

After an extensive process that included over 40 committee hearings, HF 100 was passed through the House of Representatives 73 to 57, and it passed the Senate 34 to 32.

The new law will lead to the swift creation of the Office of Cannabis Management, tasked with overseeing the legal marijuana industry including handling licenses and regulations. Marijuana retail outlets are expected to be open and legally distributing marijuana and marijuana products by the end of next year, with sales taxed at 10% on top of the state’s standard sales tax.

On August 1 HF 100 will also start the process of automatically expunging past marijuana convictions, with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension charged with overseeing the expungement process.

“While Minnesota might be the 23rd state to legalize cannabis, I think we have the best bill in the country that Minnesotans can be really proud of”, said Representative Zach Stephenson, the bill’s sponsor in the House.