The latest stop for HF600, the legal adult cannabis bill put together by Minority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, was the Minnesota House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee.
The committee was tasked to discuss only those parts of the bill that would come under its oversight, so there are few reefer madness moments, though Dale Lueck, R-Aitkin, did fret some about "revenuers" patrolling for black market growing operations.
In Environmental standards in recreational marijuana bill highlighted in committee hearing, Session Daily's Nate Gotlieb reports:
Minnesota's marijuana growers, distributors and sellers would need to meet environmental standards under the bill to legalize recreational cannabis, members of the House Environment and Natural Resource Finance and Policy Committee learned Monday.
HF600, sponsored by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley), would require the proposed Cannabis Management Board to create odor, water, energy and solid waste standards for cannabis businesses.
The standards would need to include:
- limitations on odors produced by cannabis businesses;
- regulations on the use of automated water systems and limits on the acceptable runoff of water;
- rules for the disposal of cannabis products, packaging, recycling and other solid waste;
- requirements on the reuse of wastewater and filtration systems for removing contaminants from wastewater; and
- solar and wind energy-use requirements for cannabis cultivators and manufacturers.
Cultivators and manufacturers could offset the use of other energy sources through the purchase of approved credits.
On Monday, the bill was approved by the environment committee, as amended, on an 11-7 party-line vote and referred to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee.
Its companion, SF757, is sponsored by Sen. Melissa Franzen (DFL-Edina) and awaits action by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.
Winkler, who frames the bill as a way to address the disproportionate impact marijuana laws have on communities of color, said lawmakers have a chance to shape a nascent industry to their liking.
"We essentially are trying to create an industry that will do no harm as a result of a product whose prohibition has done great harm," he said.
Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) said he appreciates the measures that would prevent marijuana regulators from being beholden to the industry.
Lobbyists would not be allowed to serve on the proposed 26-member Cannabis Advisory Council that would review and make recommendations on cannabis policy. . . .
There's more at Session Daily.
Unfortunately for Minnesotans, the Republican-controlled Senate has no interest in legalizing adult cannabis. Pending a hearing by South Dakota's Supreme Court later this month, the Mt. Rushmore State may beat the North Star State in opening this industry.
Here's the discusssion:
Related posts:
- South Dakota Supreme Court to hear adult cannabis arguments on April 28, 2021
- South Dakota News Watch: Cannabis legalization could boost Native American tribes' economies
- The peculiar knots of cannabis policy prompt GOP kinks in South Dakota and Minnesota
Photo: A cannabis grow operation.
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