The broad brush strokes of the legislation are the same in both chambers.
By Christopher Ingraham, Minnesota Reformer
Minnesota is poised to become the 23rd state allowing legal marijuana sales following the passage of bills in the state House and Senate this spring. Before that can happen, however, negotiators from the two chambers must meet to iron out the differences between the bills.
The broad brush strokes of the legislation are the same in both chambers. Minnesotans 21 and older would be able to buy marijuana products at licensed retailers, grow their own plants and keep a certain amount for personal use. The legislation would also expunge certain low-level marijuana offenses from criminal records.
But some differences emerged as the companion bills passed through dozens of committees on their way to passage. They cover everything from how the nascent marijuana industry will be taxed to how illegal, unregulated sales would be penalized. A rundown of some of the biggest differences is below.
Possession amounts
The version of the bill passed by the Senate allows adults to possess a whopping five pounds of cannabis flower from home cultivation, plus an additional two pounds of product purchased from stores or obtained elsewhere, for a total legal limit of seven pounds. The House, meanwhile, imposes a blanket cap of 1.5 pounds regardless of source. Both bills allow individuals to grow up to eight plants at home.
These limits are much more generous than those…
MMP News Author
Source link
