HF 717

1st Division Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 04/04/2019 09:25am

A bill for an act
relating to health; creating a cannabis task force; requiring a report; appropriating
money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin CANNABIS TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; purpose. new text end

new text begin (a) The Cannabis Task Force is established to
advise the legislature on the legal and policy issues associated with the legalization, taxation,
and regulation of cannabis production, sale, and use by those 21 years of age or older in the
state.
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new text begin (b) It is not the purpose of this task force to provide a recommendation on whether or
not to legalize cannabis. The purpose of this task force is to gather facts and report them to
the legislature.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The Cannabis Task Force consists of:
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new text begin (1) two senators appointed by the president of the senate;
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new text begin (2) two senators appointed by the minority leader of the senate;
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new text begin (3) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house;
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new text begin (4) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the minority leader of the
house of representatives;
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new text begin (5) the commissioner of agriculture or a designee;
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new text begin (6) the commissioner of health or a designee;
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new text begin (7) the commissioner of public safety or a designee;
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new text begin (8) the attorney general or a designee;
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new text begin (9) the state public defender or a designee;
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new text begin (10) the commissioner of revenue or a designee;
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new text begin (11) the commissioner of human services or a designee;
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new text begin (12) the commissioner of commerce or a designee;
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new text begin (13) eight members appointed by the governor who have relevant knowledge and
experience, including:
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new text begin (i) one person with experience working in the medical cannabis industry;
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new text begin (ii) one person with expertise in the treatment of substance abuse disorder;
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new text begin (iii) one medical cannabis patient;
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new text begin (iv) one person directly involved in the cultivation and distribution of medical cannabis
in Minnesota;
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new text begin (v) one person with experience working in public health policy;
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new text begin (vi) two persons from separate noncannabis industry organizations who advocate for
cannabis legalization; and
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new text begin (vii) one person convicted of a nonfelony drug-related offense;
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new text begin (14) one person who is an elected official in a statutory or home rule charter city appointed
by the League of Minnesota Cities;
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new text begin (15) one medical doctor appointed by the Board of Medical Practice;
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new text begin (16) one person who is an elected county official or administrator appointed by the
Association of Minnesota Counties;
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new text begin (17) one person who is a defense attorney appointed by the Minnesota Association of
Criminal Defense Lawyers;
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new text begin (18) one person who is a county attorney appointed by the Minnesota County Attorneys
Association;
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new text begin (19) one person who is a sheriff appointed by the Minnesota Sheriff's Association;
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new text begin (20) one person who is a chief of police appointed by the Minnesota Chiefs of Police
Association; and
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new text begin (21) one rank and file peace officer appointed by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers
Association.
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new text begin (b) Members shall serve without compensation.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Organization. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee
shall convene the first meeting of the task force.
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new text begin (b) The task force shall meet monthly or as determined by the chair.
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new text begin (c) The members of the task force shall elect a chair and other officers as the members
deem necessary.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall provide support staff, office space, and
administrative services for the task force.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force shall:
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new text begin (1) identify and study the potential effects of cannabis legalization including but not
limited to impacts on public safety, public health, tax policy, and regulatory oversight; and
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new text begin (2) consult with experts and government officials involved with the legalization of
cannabis in other states.
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new text begin (b) The task force shall develop a comprehensive plan that covers:
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new text begin (1) statutory changes necessary for the legalization of cannabis;
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new text begin (2) taxation of cannabis sales and appropriate dedicated uses for the tax revenue raised;
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new text begin (3) state and local regulation of cannabis growth, processing, transport, packaging,
labeling, sale, possession, and use, and the governing body that would enforce the regulation;
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new text begin (4) federal law, policy, and regulation of cannabis;
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new text begin (5) education of the public on scientific knowledge of the effects of cannabis, especially
with regards to use by minors;
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new text begin (6) funding for, and provision of, treatment to persons with substance abuse disorder as
it relates to cannabis;
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new text begin (7) expungement and pardon of nonviolent marijuana convictions;
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new text begin (8) security of cannabis retail and manufacturing locations and the safe handling of
proceeds from cannabis sales, including banking options;
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new text begin (9) policies that promote access to the legal cannabis market to persons from communities
that are disproportionately impacted by the ban on cannabis including incentives for
minority-owned businesses to participate in the cannabis industry;
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new text begin (10) statutory and policy changes designed to discourage operating motor vehicles while
under the influence of cannabis; and
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new text begin (11) recommendations to the legislature and others about necessary and appropriate
actions related to legalization of cannabis in the state.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 1, 2020, the task force shall submit a report to the chairs
and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and
divisions having jurisdiction over health, human services, revenue, public safety, labor and
industry, and agriculture policy and finance that details the task force's findings regarding
the legalization of cannabis including the comprehensive plan developed pursuant to
subdivision 5.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires the earlier of February 1, 2020, or the date
the report is submitted under subdivision 6.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $100,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of health for the Cannabis Task Force. This appropriation is available until February 1,
2020.
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