With Minnesota likely to join the ever-growing list of states that have legalized recreational marijuana, the Midwest has taken center stage in the debate in the United States over whether or not to legalize cannabis. The main issue on everyone’s mind after Delaware’s recent decision to legalize marijuana, making it the 22nd state to do so, is whether Minnesota will make history as the lucky 23rd.
Recreational weed is now legal in Delaware.
Last week, Delaware Governor John Carney announced that he would sign two bills to legalize and regulate adult use of cannabis, effectively allowing it to become law. The move made Delaware the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana.
Delaware legalized recreational marijuana Sunday by enacting two bills that Democratic Gov. John Carney allowed to become law without signing them. This legislation, known as House 1 and 2 legislation, legalizes marijuana possession by adults and establishes a controlled system for the production and disposal of recreational cannabis. Carney said last week that he would allow these laws to become Despite vetoing similar legislation last year And she has certain reservations about the bill.
According to Governor Carney, the two bills remove statewide criminal and civil penalties for petty marijuana possession and establish strict controls for Delaware’s recreational cannabis sector. Although Governor Carney acknowledged that legalizing marijuana for recreational use is not a good move, he endorsed medical marijuana and Delaware decriminalization law. He believes that incarcerating individuals for possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use is no longer justified.
The bills, known as House Bill 1 (HB 1) and House Bill 2 (HB 2), passed both houses of the Delaware legislature with such a bipartisan majority that it would render a potential veto irrelevant. HB 1 eliminates all penalties for individuals 21 and over who possess marijuana for personal consumption. Meanwhile, HB 2 establishes a regulatory structure for the sale, cultivation, and possession of marijuana, providing licensing opportunities for small businesses and ensuring fair access to the new legal market for recreational cannabis by those disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.
Delaware became the 22nd state in the country to legalize cannabis for adults on Sunday when HB 1 went into effect. According to the governor’s announcement last week, HB 2 is effective Thursday.
Governor Carney made history last year when he opposed cannabis legalization bills, becoming the first Democratic governor. Although he allowed the bills to become law this year, he opposes the idea and admits he only accepts the inevitable.
The governor acknowledged that although he is personally against the cannabis legalization bills, he is allowing them to become law to respect legislative process. Osinke expressed his admiration for Carney’s stance this year and pledged to help smooth the transition to legal marijuana in Delaware. According to Brian Vicente, founding partner at Vicente LLP, a law firm specializing in cannabis and drugs, the legislation is a significant milestone in cannabis policy reform in the United States. He expects further progress in 2023.
Minnesota is poised to become the 23rd recreational marijuana state.
If all goes as planned, the recreational cannabis industry in Minnesota is set to expand. On Tuesday, the state House of Representatives approved a measure to legalize adult use of marijuana by a vote of 71-59. The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that the Senate is expected to pass the bill soon.
Tim Walz has vowed to sign the bill into law if lawmakers thrive, making Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize recreational cannabis entirely. One issue that has caused contention among Minnesota lawmakers is local control over cities and counties that are unwilling to accept legal cannabis. The bill approved by the House of Representatives would not allow localities to abandon the marijuana business or directly revoke operators’ licenses.
Although the Senate and House have yet to resolve some of the differences between their bills, such as personal possession limits and state cannabis tax rates, progress is being made. CBS reports that personal consumption and possession will be legal this summer. Residents can grow up to eight cannabis plants per person per household. However, the cannabis market launch is not expected until next year.
Lawmakers have until May 22, when the session ends, to agree on a final bill. Minnesota’s cannabis market has been a rollercoaster ride, starting with one of the most restricted medical marijuana markets in the country. Only two companies were allowed to grow and produce MMJ products. It has since expanded to include an unregulated market for hemp foods, leading to increased calls for regulation and enforcement. As a result, regulators have begun legal action against companies that violate the law.
According to the Associated Press, the new bills propose creating a government agency called the Office of Cannabis Management, which would be responsible for drafting regulations and granting commercial licenses. In addition, the bills prioritize social justice with regard to licensing, as policymakers aim to redress the injustices caused by the War on Drugs.
Conclusion
Opinions about marijuana use change as the cannabis business develops and grows. It is becoming increasingly difficult for opponents of legalization to claim that it is a risky or foolish policy, as Delaware and possibly Minnesota join the ranks of states that have legalized cannabis for recreational use.
Creating a new government agency, the Office of Cannabis Management is a step in the right direction. However, some kinks remain to be worked out, such as personal possession restrictions and state cannabis tax rates. Social justice is prioritized when applying for licenses, reflecting the goal of righting historical wrongs and providing marginalized populations with a fair opportunity to enter the new legal recreational cannabis market.
The ongoing effort to reform cannabis policies in the United States presents a multifaceted challenge that requires thoughtful thinking and strategic planning. However, with each country that joins the movement to legalize cannabis, the way forward becomes increasingly clear, and the prospect of a world where Cannabis is no longer shrouded in stigma Or criminalization closer to reality.
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