Minnesota to legalize possession of drug paraphernalia, even if it has residue
Minnesota lawmakers passed a mammoth public safety budget bill that included little-noticed provisions that will legalize possession of drug paraphernalia and any drug residue that might be in it.
The bill — signed by Gov. Tim Walz on Friday — allows people to possess hypodermic syringes or needles; removes the cap on the number of syringes pharmacists can sell people without a prescription; and no longer bans possession of products used to test the “strength, effectiveness or purity” of a controlled substance. It would still be illegal to manufacture drug paraphernalia for delivery.
The bill also allows community-based public health programs to provide sterile needles, syringes and other injection equipment — in addition to educating people on overdose prevention and safe injection practices.
The paraphernalia provisions are among an array of new policies in the bill that seek to make Minnesota’s criminal justice system less punitive and more rehabilitative, including cutting prison time for people who seek drug treatment and other services while locked up.
Syringe service programs have been operating in Minnesota; this makes it clear they’re legal, according to Kurtis Hanna, a drug law reform lobbyist.
https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/05/22/minnesota-to-legalize-possession-of-all-drug-paraphernalia-even-if-it-has-residue/
= new reply since forum marked as read
