"Minnesota's 'High' Time: A Breakdown of Recreational Marijuana Legalization and What It Means for the State"
Starting Tuesday, August 1, Minnesotans will have the legal right to possess and grow marijuana for recreational use, thanks to a massive legalization bill approved by the Democratic-controlled Minnesota Legislature and signed by Governor Tim Walz in May. While the new law will permit individuals aged 21 and older to possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower, 8 grams of concentrate, and 800 milligrams of THC-containing edibles, they can also have up to 2 pounds of cannabis flower at home. The law also allows for the cultivation of up to eight plants at home, with no more than four flowering at a time, in enclosed and locked spaces. The legalization of recreational marijuana came after a passionate debate, with critics expressing concerns about public safety and its impact on young people, while supporters argued that the prohibition of the drug had proven ineffective. Advocates of the law highlighted the disproportionate impact of cannabis-related arrests on people of color and the lo