What is Weed?
Weed is a slang term for marijuana. Marijuana is a plant that contains the active ingredient THC, which can be used for medical purposes and as recreational drug.
Weed has been used by humans for centuries but its use became popular in the 20th century, when it became illegal in most countries. Weed is still illegal in many countries and states but it has been legalized for medical use in some states and countries.
Marijuana in Minnesota
Minnesota is the latest state to legalize marijuana. The state’s new law allows adults over the age of 21 to purchase, possess, and consume cannabis legally.
The new legislation will also permit individuals to grow up to six plants at home for personal use. Marijuana will be sold in licensed retail stores and online through a state-run website.
Individuals are allowed to possess up to one ounce of marijuana in public, but not in a glass container or any other type of container that would be visible from the outside.
Minnesota has a very complicated history with marijuana. In the 1970s, Minnesota had the highest arrest rate for marijuana possession in the country. In 2013, it was one of the first states to legalize medical marijuana.
In 2014, Minnesota had a constitutional amendment that would have legalized recreational use of marijuana and allowed for dispensaries to sell it. The amendment failed at the ballot box by just over 1%. In 2015, Governor Mark Dayton signed legislation that legalized medicinal use of cannabis oil for people with certain medical conditions and allowed them to carry up to 30 days worth of medicine in public without a prescription. This law also removed any mention of “marijuana” from state statutes and instead referred to cannabis as “cannabis” or “medical cannabis” .
On November 6, 2018, Tim Walz was selected Governor of Minnesota. Waltz believed that, if properly regulated, legalization of cannabis could bring new sources of tax and reduce the number of prisoners for drug crimes
On January 28, 2019, Senators Melisa Franzen and Scott Jensen, as well as Rep. Mike Freiberg, proposed a bill allowing people over the age of 21 to own, grow and purchase a limited amount of cannabis.
On March 8, 2019, Minnesota Senate Republicans voted against a measure to legalize recreational use of cannabis.
From July 1, 2022, if THC is from hemp, foods and beverages containing THC are legal in Minnesota. The THC content of the package must be limited to 50 mg in total and 5 mg per serving. This legislation was enacted in part to address previously unregulated delta-8 THC products. It is unclear whether Minnesota Senate leaders understand that this legislation will legalize products containing delta-9 THC.
Impact of Legalizing Weed on the Economy of Minnesota
Legalizing weed in Minnesota can help the state generate revenue.
Legalization of weed has already started to change the economy of many states. For example, Colorado's legal cannabis industry generated $2.4 billion in revenue in 2016 and is expected to generate $3.3 billion by 2020.
How Will Weed Impact The Criminal Justice System and Public Safety In Minnesota?
The criminal justice system and public safety in Minnesota are at risk of being disrupted by legalized pot.
The criminal justice system and public safety in Minnesota are at risk of being disrupted by legalized pot. As marijuana is legalized, there will be an increase in crime rates. In the states that have legalized pot, there has been an increase in property crimes, homelessness, and violent crimes such as assault and homicide. There is a correlation between marijuana legalization and the rise of crime rates.
