Although more than 30 states have passed legislation allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes, the language in each of these medical cannabis bills varies widely. But one provision that several of these states share is a ban against smokable medical marijuana, forcing qualified patients to use other forms of consumption such as oils and tinctures. In Minnesota, however, patients will soon be able to access smokable medical cannabis after the governor signed a large-scale bill that expanded the state’s medical marijuana program.
Among other things, this bill includes provisions that grant medical marijuana patients access to smokable products. The legislation was sponsored by Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler and was approved by legislators less than a fortnight ago.
The broader medical cannabis bill was approved by a bicameral conference committee as part of an omnibus health bill, with the House and Senate passing it in a 77 to 57 and 67 to 1 vote, respectively. Now that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed the bill into law, it must take effect by March 1, 2022.
Once it does, adults 21 years and older will be granted access to smokable cannabis flowers. Aside from allowing smokable cannabis, the legislation will also allow medical marijuana dispensaries to provide curbside pickup services. Additionally, it increases the number of registered patients designated caregivers can serve at once from just one to six. Winkler, who has been a major proponent of cannabis reform, predicted that the push for broader cannabis reform in the conservative state, especially adult-use cannabis, would inevitably lead to compromise legislation such as the expanded medical cannabis bill that is now state law.
Aside from the medical marijuana bill, Winkler is also behind a full legalization bill that advanced through the House but stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. The legislation would allow adults aged 21 and older to buy and possess a maximum of one and a half ounces of marijuana. Additionally, adults would be allowed to grow a maximum of eight cannabis plants at home, with four of them being mature. Calling it the best cannabis legalization bill in the country, Winkler said that it would address the harms of the failed war on drugs by prioritizing social equity, promoting diversity in the licensing process and preventing corporate giants from taking over the adult-use industry once launched.
Just across the state lines, the Louisiana House approved a bill that would allow patients to access smokable cannabis, and that bill is currently awaiting action on the Senate floor. On the other hand, Alabama’s governor recently signed a medical cannabis bill that includes a provision banning smokable medical marijuana.
As many states and countries enact reforms that allow the use of marijuana in some form, the benefits of companies such as Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) (OTCQB: PACRF) (FSE: 4XM) operating are becoming apparent as high-paying jobs and other industries emerge around the marijuana sector.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) (OTCQB: PACRF) (FSE: 4XM) are available in the company’s newsroom at http://cnw.fm/PACR
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