Minnesota adults are now allowed to possess, use and grow cannabis.

Does this automatically turn us all into potheads? Does this mean that every farmer is going to switch from corn or soybeans or add cannabis into their crop rotation?

No and no.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, cannabis is a plant that contains more than 100 compounds, also called cannabinoids that include tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. High enough levels of THC are impairing or mind-altering.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is another compound found in cannabis, but this does not cause a “high”; the user can still feel the effects from the gummies or oils, how.

Regardless, if you partake of products containing cannabinoids or cannabidiols, you have to practice the same responsibilities as one does when consuming alcohol. Alcohol’s history hasn’t been as smooth as a good bourbon, as the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ratified in 1919 prohibiting the production, importation and sale of alcoholic beverages.

As we all know, alcohol once again became legal with the 1933 ratification of the 21st Amendment, repealing the 18th Amendment, putting an end to Prohibition.

Did the end of Prohibition bring with it a nation of drunkards and all-out debauchery? No. Probably more of that occurred during Prohibition, when people were forced to bootleg and skirt the side of the law.

Cannabis use is nothing new; now it is legal for adults, as long as they play by the rules. As discussions of legalizing cannabis were taking place, I questioned what this means for people who had been found guilty of cannabis violations in the past. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one thinking about this, as the legislation approving cannabis use also calls for “automatically expunging low-level cannabis convictions and for creating a Cannabis Expungement Board, which will review felonies for expungement or resentencing,” according to the Office of Cannabis Management.

Cash crop?

As of now, there is no fear that cannabis will replace a crop in Minnesota farmers’ rotations, or even be worked it into a corn-soybean rotation.

That’s not saying that you can’t start a business based on cannabis, and the OCM will release applications, issue licenses and develop regulations outlining how and when businesses can participate in this new industry for Minnesota adults. As this is such a new industry, not all the ducks are in a row and business license applications will be available once rulemaking is complete. OCM expects applications to be available early next year. Click here to find out more about starting a cannabis-based business.

As it currently stands, the supply of cannabis seed is not large enough to adequately grow this budding industry. Will it ever get to the point of seeing sections of Minnesota farmland covered with cannabis plant? I don’t think so.

Just as the temperance union and other organizations fought legalization of alcohol, there are those who oppose legalization of cannabis. But it is here.

We could see a statewide prohibition of cannabis if a movement gets rolling. But as of now, the cannabis industry is here, and it is above-board. There will be people who abuse the use and the growth of cannabis products and plants, just as we do with alcohol.

Just for the record, I do not approve of cannabis legalization. But I do like to have a cocktail from time to time. Is that any better or worse than lighting up a joint? It all depends on your background.

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