On May 30, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed into law legislation that had been debated extensively in the state Legislature for months, legalizing the possession of cannabis (marijuana) for individuals age 21 and older.
The final vote in the state House and Senate largely followed party lines, with nearly all Democrats in the House, except one, voting in favor, and almost all Republicans, except five, voting against it. In the Senate, the voting strictly aligned with party lines.
The new law does not take effect until Aug. 1 and allows private parties to possess up to two pounds of cannabis and to grow no more than eight plants, only four of which are allowed to be budding or displaying flowers. Consumption is legal in one’s residence or yard but not in public.
Those persons with prior convictions for possession, sales, etc., on their records will, in the vast majority of cases, have their records expunged.
There is no special provision in the law specifically aimed at a certain individual municipality. However, like all jurisdictions, Eden Prairie is looking ahead to specific tasks it must address.
“It is very early in the process,” said City Manager Rick Getschow. “Like all communities, we are waiting for the state of Minnesota to clarify further specific guidelines and programs.”
Local government can license (with state approval) specific parties to open up legal dispensaries.
“You are limited to one dispensary per 12,500 people in your community,” Getschow pointed out. “The state has to approve and license each dispensary.”
Eden Prairie’s official total population, as of the 2020 census, is 64,198 meaning the city can license up to five dispensaries. However, if a city decides they want more than that ratio, they can. In those cities with a smaller population (for example, 5,000 or 2,500 residents), they cannot prevent someone from opening at least one dispensary in that specific municipality.
None of the dispensaries will be operational until 2025, as the projection is that it will take a year for everyone to sort through matters after the new law is on the books on Aug. 1 of this year.
For now, Mayor Ron Case said Eden Prairie is waiting for its legal team to review the new law while monitoring what other municipalities are doing.
“I don’t see Eden Prairie doing anything out of the ordinary,” Case said. “We will probably handle sales in the city somewhat like we do with tobacco products.”
Police Department Capt. Chris Wood said the department is not taking any unusual steps to address the new law.
“We are not, for instance, hiring additional staff in direct response to the forthcoming change,” Wood said.
“However, we will take the time to make certain everyone is familiar with the law and how we will respond.”
With only a few weeks remaining until the law takes effect, Wood said the department will continue to enforce the current law. This means if you are deemed to be in illegal possession of cannabis, you can be given a citation or, in some cases, arrested and taken into custody.
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