I believe the state has both a public health and safety interest in regulating and educating Minnesotans on the risks of the recreational use of cannabis. Prohibition has not worked thus far. Regulating cannabis and providing the necessary oversight and legal framework moving forward will reduce not increase its access to youth. Dr. Scott Jensen, my Republican co-author of this bill in the Senate and a physician in private practice, acknowledged that cannabis may become legal, but it does not mean it’s good for you. SF 619 seeks to responsibly regulate and address all aspects of cannabis use by:

• Prohibiting the use and sale to minors under 21

• Uphold current law prohibiting impaired driving

• Uphold the Clean Indoor Air Act

• Protect employer rights to keep the workplace safe

• Protect landlord rights to prevent smoking on their property

• Keep local control to regulate the production and sale in local communities

• Establish rules on the operation of dispensaries

• Develop a tracking system, “seed-to-sale”

• Distribute revenue to mental health services, training for police, and public health education for teens about the potential health consequences of cannabis use

• Fund research on mental health impact and risk factors for addiction

• Study effects of cannabis related to potency levels and dosage for safe driving

• Decriminalize and expunge past non-violent offenses (2020)

SF 619, a bipartisan bill that would legalize recreational cannabis for adults at least 21 years old. Includes:

Cannabis cultivation, consumption, use, and possession authorization, regulation, taxation, and clean indoor act modification; controlled substances act and offenses expungement