Minnesota’s House Majority Leader, Ryan Winkler (D), introduced a 222-page adult-use cannabis legalization bill this week. In addition to Winkler, the bill had 33 cosponsors. Pre-pandemic readers of America’s finest cannabis compliance and licensing blog will recall that Minnesota has been considering legalization (and taking polls) since last year. In August of ’19 Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, told state agencies to prepare for legalization, in fact. And with the state expanding its list of conditions for medical usage in December of last year, Walz seemed to be on to something. That was of course before a pandemic struck.

Now, with a hostile and Republican-controlled State Senate resisting the push, to say nothing of Covid-19, adult-use in the Land of 10,000 Lakes appears likely to be a multi-year struggle. In his introduction of the bill, Rep. Winkler acknowledged those headwinds but was steadfast in his commitment to getting the bill done. So what’s in this tome of a bill? Let’s review.

Minnesota adult-use cannabis bill contains:

• Creates a regulatory structure focused on developing micro-businesses and a craft market

• Provides for expungement of most cannabis convictions

• Provides for a limited allowance of home grow

• Requires testing and labeling of products

• Restricts packaging based on dosage size

• Provides funding for public health awareness, youth access prevention, and substance abuse addiction and treatment

• Provides grants, loans, technical assistance, and training for small businesses

• Uses best practices from other states to account for negative externalities

Bear in mind, these are the highlights of a 222-page bill. There are a lot of details that Winkler’s bill have dived in on to avoid some of the SNAFUs that other states have encountered when they have legalized adult-use cannabis. While it remains to be seen what kind of a timeline Minnesota will implement this bill on, and also how exactly Minnesota will avoid some of the pitfalls states typically encounter, we salute the effort and dedication Winkler has given to the bill. He definitely has been making the most of his time in pandemic lockdown.

Have questions about Minnesota or other limited license states? Reach out to MMLG .