Minnesota House passes legal pot bill, but Republican leader says it won t pass Senate
The historic vote came late Thursday night.
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In a historic vote, the Minnesota House of Representatives has approved a measure to legalize recreational marijuana. The bill, authored by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, was approved by a dozen committees before it went to the House floor for a full vote Thursday night, passing by a 72-61 vote after nearly five hours of debate, with six Republicans in favor and four DFLers against.
But despite raising the hopes among some that this could finally lead to full legalization of marijuana, Republicans have said the bill will be dead on arrival in the GOP-controlled Senate.
How To Spend Federal COVID Relief Hangs Over Minnesota Legislature
CBS Minnesota 5/14/2021 Syndicated Local – WCCO | CBS Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) The Minnesota legislature is unlikely to finish by the regular session’s end on Monday and the billions of dollars coming from the federal government’s pandemic relief package is partly to blame.
Minnesota is set to receive more than $9 billion total in money to state and local governments and funds for targeted programs like education, housing and child care, according to estimates from the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget.
Legislative leaders say late guidance from the U.S. Treasury this week on how to spend a deluge of federal COVID relief money from the American Rescue Plan brought negotiations back to square one.
The Minnesota House was about to make history Thursday night and Twitter was concerned. Help is available, the site advised anyone searching for any combination of the words Minnesota and marijuana on Thursday, as state lawmakers prepared to vote to legalize cannabis. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you are not alone, Twitter continued its warning in English and Spanish, with a link to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, before scrolling on to all the day s news articles and social media chatter about the bill. Our partner SAMHSA 1-800-662-4357 can help.
Special session looms as deals on police, taxes elude Minnesota lawmakers
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Top Minnesota lawmakers acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that they will need a special session to finish the state budget.
Deals have been elusive on several key issues, including police restrictions, taxes, Gov. Tim Walz s emergency powers, and how to spend $2.8 billion in federal COVID-19 aid. Lawmakers must adjourn by May 17 with or without a budget in place. It will be very difficult to finish on time given the logistics involved in putting the bills together, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, told reporters.
Is The Senate Going To Support Minnesotaâs Adult Use Cannabis Bill?
A new cannabis bill is getting ready for a House floor vote this week to legalize marijuana in Minnesota. Also, the sponsor of this new cannabis proposal is hopeful it will be approved by the full legislature. However, the only true concern is if the GOP-controlled Senate would just allow a vote on it. Political figures such as House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler and other lawmakers are responsible for filing this cannabis bill that my legalize marijuana in Minnesota.
Furthermore, this bill has made its way through a dozen committees since February. Measures from this bill consist of those who are 21 years and up can buy and possess up an ounce and a half of flower. As well you would be able to grow 8 plants 4 of which you can harvest. Even with this bill making its way past 12 House panels, there are some worries about what will happen if the bill makes it to the Senate. Yet House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler