The Minnesota Capitol Building. Courtesy of Minnesota House Public Information Services.
ST PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – After more than six hours of debate Friday, the Minnesota Senate voted to allow some cannabis applicants to begin growing flowers this summer.
Senator Lindsey Port of Burnsville offered an amendment setting dates for the early cultivation process.
“It must be announced by July 15th of 2024 and the OCM must begin accepting applications by August 1st of 2024,” Port told the Senate.
Senator Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls opposes early cultivation.
“They don’t have time to do the rulemaking for this so they need to have these pre-authorized approvals to allow people who don’t have a license to start doing things that would normally be licensed,” Rasmusson said.
Port says pre-approved applicants would be able to start cultivation under existing medical cannabis rules. Retail sales are expected to begin sometime in 2025.
The cannabis policy bill now goes to the Minnesota House.
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