Did Minnesota Just Accidentally Legalize THC-Laced Edibles?

MINNESOTA — Starting Friday, Minnesotans who are 21 and older can legally purchase THC-laced edibles and beverages. THC is the active ingredient in marijuana, and the newly legal products will give users a similar experience as to smoking cannabis.

The legalization of some THC products reportedly came as a shock to at least one lawmaker who voted in favor of the legislation.

Sen. Jim Abeler, a Republican from Anoka, said he didn't realize the new law would legalize edibles containing delta-9 THC before it passed.

Abeler chairs the Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee.

"I thought we were doing a technical fix, and it winded up having a broader impact than I expected," Abeler told the Star Tribune's Ryan Faircloth. He said lawmakers should consider undoing the law.

Abler was likely not alone in his misunderstanding.

On Twitter, Faircloth said the "no comment" from Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller "suggests that the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate's approval of a new law legalizing THC edibles was likely an accident."

In all previous legislative sessions, Minnesota Republicans have immediately stopped efforts to legalize cannabis.

Meanwhile, Edina Democratic Rep. Heather Edelson — who authored the House version of the measure — was fully aware of the law.

Regardless of how the law came to be, it's most likely here to stay.

"Astounding that some GOP senators didn't understand the bill they passed and now want to roll this back," said Hunter Cantrell, a former Democratic state representative for Burnsville.

"This is a big step towards a regulated, legal, sensible THC/cannabis market in MN!"

Patch has reached out to Sen. Jim Abler for comment