Senate vote puts Minnesota on path to legalizing marijuana
The Minnesota Senate has voted to legalize recreational marijuana for adults. The vote, which took place on Friday, resulted in a close 34-33 decision, with all Democrats voting yes and all Republicans voting no. However, before the bill can become law, there are still several differences that need to be ironed out through further negotiations.
The Senate version of the bill differs from the companion version that passed the House 71-59 on Tuesday. Therefore, a House-Senate conference committee will need to come together to resolve the differences before the final votes can take place in each chamber.
Despite the necessary negotiations, Democratic Governor Tim Walz has pledged to sign the bill into law once it reaches his desk. In addition to legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, the bill would also include the expungement of minor marijuana offenses from residents’ criminal records.
Source: AP News