The Minnesota Senate cast its first vote to legalize recreational marijuana Friday, pushing the proposal closer to becoming law than ever before.

Senators passed the DFL-led marijuana bill on a 34-33 vote, with all Democrats voting for it and all Republicans opposed. The House approved its marijuana bill Tuesday. The bills now head to a conference committee where their differences must be reconciled in a final version.

“Minnesotans are ready. Attitudes are changing. Now is our time to undo decades of ineffective and damaging prohibition,” said Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, who sponsored the marijuana bill and wore a bright green suit to commemorate Friday’s vote.

Republicans argued that legalizing marijuana will do more harm than good, leading to worse rates of addiction and traffic fatalities.

“This bill simply isn’t enough. Not enough for public safety, not enough for public health, and our local governments are really, really at the bad end of the stick of this,” said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks.

DFL Gov. Tim Walz has said he will sign a marijuana bill if it reaches his desk. Once the two bills are merged, the House and Senate will hold final votes on the compromise version. [Read More @ The Minneapolis StarTribune]