Minnesota Senate passes cannabis bill, one step closer to legalizaton

Minnesotans are one stop closer to being able to purchase marijuana, after Senate lawmakers passed HF100, their plan for legalizing and regulating marijuana for adult use. Lawmakers voted along party lines and the bill passed narrowly 34-33.

While a majority of Minnesotans are in support of marijuana legalization–61.4% according to an annual State Fair Poll by the state’s House of Representatives–many industry leaders argue we’re not ready.

“The big questions still remain unanswered,” said John Hausladen, President of the Minnesota Trucking Association. “We’re very concerned that there is not a test right now that can verify impairment roadside. You can if it’s present, but you can’t test impairment.”

“From a workforce perspective, we think it’s just going to shrink our pool,” said Hausladen. “The goal is to do it right. We don’t need to rush.”

Now that both the House and Senate have approved their respective bills, they will head to a conference committee to be reconciled into one bill, and sent to the Governor’s desk. Governor Walz has previously indicated he is in support of marijuana legalization.