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Heres something you dont see every day: On Friday, THC-infused edibles and beverages became legal in the great state of Minnesota, after a law containing the legalization measure was included in a health and human services funding bill. How did this measure get through? Critically, a key Republican state senator who co-chaired the committee that passed it didnt read the text closely enough. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Sen. Jim Abeler said he didnt realize the new law would legalize edibles containing delta-9 THC before it passed, and thought he was just regulating existing CBD products:

I thought we were doing a technical fix, and it winded up having a broader impact than I expected, Abeler said adding that the Legislature should consider rolling the new law back.

House Democrats and Gov. Tim Walz, both of whom support recreational marijuana legalization, are unlikely to agree to such a request. Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, called Abelers suggestion to roll back the law ridiculous and said Democrats have no interest in doing so.

Minnesota Reformers account adds another great detail: after Abeler, along with a bipartisan conference committee of House and Senate members, voted unanimously for the amendment, Abeler then said out loud, That doesnt legalize marijuanawe didnt just do that.

To which, a Democratic state Rep. said: Oh, are you kidding? Of course you have. Of course you have. No, just kidding. Well do that next, Okay?

Abelers qualification was technically truethe fine print of the measure legalized THC products derived from hemp, but not from marijuana, even though they have the same effect: helping people get high.

This isnt quite the ideal way to pass important legislation, and there appear to be some kinks to work outfor instance, more clearly defining who can actually sell edibles in the state. But Minnesota isnt entering the Wild West entirely; as the Star-Tribune notes, its still imposing some basic guidelines, such as child-proof packaging and an over-21 age restriction. Still, by opening its stores to edibles, Minnesota made history: Its the only state in America thats legalized only edibles for recreational use. Maybe a few months of gummies will soften them on the rest.

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Minnesota Just Legalized Edibles After a Republican Didn't Read the Bill Mother Jones - Mother Jones