ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Legislation to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Minnesota underwent a major rewrite Tuesday with the removal of a provision that would have allowed residents to grow their own plants at home. The new version of the bill would allow adults over the age of 21 to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis in public and up to 10 pounds in their homes. It would also establish a regulatory framework for cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and retail sales.
The bill would grant 100 cannabis retail licenses to applicants with former drug arrests or from areas that were disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. The legislation also includes a provision for automatic expungement of low-level cannabis offenses. The rewritten bill was approved by the Minnesota House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee on Tuesday.
Another pair of Minnesota House and Senate committees have approved legislation to legalize marijuana for adult use in the state—with the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee both giving their approval to the bills. The full Senate and House will now vote on the bills, which would create a regulatory system for cannabis production and sales.
Pennsylvania is no closer to legalizing marijuana even though Democrats control both the House and governor's mansion. Governor Tom Wolf has continued to advocate for legalization, but the Republican-controlled Senate has blocked the effort. The state has legalize medical marijuana, but recreational use remains illegal.
New Jersey is no longer limiting the number of cannabis cultivation licenses, and entrepreneurs are looking forward to supplying the market. The state is expanding its medical marijuana program and is preparing for recreational legalization after voters approved a ballot measure last year. The state will issue 37 new cultivation licenses, and existing medical marijuana operators can now apply for recreational licenses.
All the cannabis billboards and punny weed storefronts each started with an idea — an idea someone wanted enough to navigate the maze that is marijuana legalization. Entrepreneurs in the industry face a range of challenges, from navigating complex regulations to finding funding, but many are drawn to the potential profits and the opportunity to be part of a burgeoning industry.
Health Canada has asked five companies to stop distribution and sale of noncompliant cannabis edibles products by the end of May. The agency found that the products did not meet regulatory requirements, including labeling and packaging standards. The companies have been asked to recall the products and to implement corrective measures to ensure compliance.
A top German official says that the nation's coalition government will move forward with plans to introduce a marijuana legalization bill, despite opposition from some members of the governing parties. The bill would legalize possess of up to 30 grams of cannabis and allow home cultivation of up to three plants. The government hopes that legalization will reduce crime and increase tax revenue.
Eight children were treated Wednesday afternoon after possibly ingesting marijuana gummies at a school in Sun Valley, officials said. The children, who ranged in age from 8 to 12 years old, were taken to a hospital for evaluation. The incident is under investigation, and it is unclear how the children came into possess of the gummies.
