Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz signed a bill on Tuesday that allows adults over 21 years old to use marijuana for recreational purposes.
This makes Minnesota the 23rd state to legalise marijuana for adults.
Governor Walz expressed his joy and gratitude for the effort put in by many people to make this happen.
Former Governor Jesse Ventura, who supported marijuana legalisation years ago, also shared his excitement.
According to the new law, starting from August 1, people will be allowed to have, use, and grow marijuana at home.
However, there are limits on how much marijuana one can have, with a maximum of 2 pounds (0.9 kilos) at home and 2 ounces (56 grams) in public.
Other possession caps include 800 milligrams of THC in gummies and other edibles and 8 grams of cannabis concentrate.
Retail sales at dispensaries will probably be at least a year away. Once licensed, stores will charge sales tax plus a 10% cannabis tax.
Minnesotans who have been convicted of misdemeanour or petty misdemeanour possession will also get their records automatically expunged.
However, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has estimated it will take until August of next year to process all cases.
Others with more serious convictions, such as those with possession offences that exceeded even the new limits, may also be able to apply for reduced sentences.
Democrats took full control of state government when the Legislature convened for its 2023 session, marking the first time in eight years they have held the “trifecta” of the Senate, House and governor's office.
With that power, they passed a long list of legislative priorities — including legalisation — that the previous Senate Republican majority had blocked.
Walz has long been a supporter of legalising recreational marijuana for adults. In 2021, the Democratic-controlled House passed a legalisation bill with several Republicans voting yes, but the GOP-controlled Senate never gave it a vote.
Last year, the Legislature passed a bill legalising THC in edible or drinkable form if it’s derived from hemp.
Many lawmakers apparently didn’t realise what they were doing as it sailed through under the radar. Low-strength gummies and beverages have been on sale since July.
Former Gov. Ventura said in November that Walz had called him up the day after his reelection and said he expected a new legalization bill to pass.
Ventura, an independent who doesn’t usually make endorsements, backed Walz over Republican Scott Jensen and said legalisation was one of the many reasons why.
States where legal recreational marijuana has been approved:
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan, Missouri
Montana
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Nevada
Oregon
Rhode Island
Vermont
Virginia
Washington.
Adult-use marijuana is also legal in the District of Columbia, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
