Minnesota’s marijuana legalization bill, a quick breakdown

Minnesota’s latest and perhaps most-promising debate around marijuana legalization to date begins Wednesday when a House committee starts dissecting a 243-page bill that would enable use by those 21 and older.

The legislation has a considerable path to travel in the House and Senate, where the DFL now holds slim majorities.

The comprehensive plan is two major endeavors rolled into one: It would decriminalize possession and use of marijuana with some exceptions and start a process of expunging the records of people previously charged with lower-level marijuana crimes.

While the initial proposal will no doubt undergo revisions and could encounter some close votes, legislative leaders say they won’t shy from the discussion.

If the bill becomes law, people anxious to obtain legal marijuana might need to have some patience. Here are questions and answers about aspects of the bill as it currently sits:

When would legal marijuana be available?

A start date for legal sales isn’t yet identified.

Part of that depends on the growth cycle. It can take nine months or longer to get marijuana from seed to cultivation and then sale. The objective is to build up capacity before the legal market opens so initial demand can be met.

[Read more at Minnesota Public Radio]