MINNESOTA
CANNABIS DISPENSARY REGULATIONS FOR MINNESOTA
The legislation in Minnesota establishes a framework for adult-use cannabis and creates a new Office of Cannabis Management. This office will regulate cannabis for the adult-use market, the Medical Cannabis Program, and lower-potency hemp edibles. It will also issue licenses and develop regulations for business participation in the industry. Retail sales for adult-use cannabis in Minnesota are proposed to begin in the first quarter of 2025. The Medical Cannabis Program will transition from the Minnesota Department of Health to the Office of Cannabis Management effective March 1, 2025.
In the coming months, the new state agency will develop the regulatory framework for legal adult cannabis and establish processes and timelines for license applications. There are 12 different business licenses available in the adult-use market, along with additional licenses for medical cannabis. To operate a business, applicants must be at least 21 years old, complete the necessary paperwork, and pay license fees. For example, a cultivator license costs $10,000 to apply, $20,000 for the initial license, and $30,000 to renew. Costs vary based on the type of operation, with smaller businesses seeking a “microbusiness” license paying less.
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CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HISTORY IN MINNESOTA
Minnesota has a limited history with cannabis legalization. The Minnesota Medical Marijuana Act (SF 2470), signed into law in 2014, safeguards patients suffering from specific severe medical conditions who have received a doctor’s recommendation for using medical cannabis products. This law establishes a regulatory framework for overseeing the production and distribution of authorized cannabis products, which can be administered through liquid, pill, or vaporized methods, while explicitly prohibiting smoking cannabis. SF 2470 does not impose any restrictions on the concentration of THC or CBD in these products, allowing for flexible medical cannabis treatments tailored to address various health conditions.
In 2016, HF 3142 expanded the list of qualifying conditions for patient enrollment in the state system to include intractable pain and PTSD. This legislation also improved transportation laws related to testing and disposal and allowed pharmacists to conduct video conferences with patients. In 2018, the Department of Health added sleep apnea, autism, and Alzheimer’s to the list of qualifying conditions. The Minnesota Department of Corrections also granted permission for individuals on supervised release to use medical cannabis.
In 2019, the state increased the number of legal medical retail facilities from 8 to 16. The Minnesota Department of Health also added chronic pain and macular degeneration to the list of eligible conditions for medical cannabis treatment. In 2020, as part of the state’s COVID emergency plans, Minnesota authorized the continuation of medical cannabis businesses, extended patient access through curbside pickup and home delivery, allowed telemedicine for physician evaluations, and extended existing enrollments.
On May 30, 2023, Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Beginning on August 1, adults 21 and older will be allowed to: possess in public up to 2 ounces of cannabis, 8 grams of concentrate, and products with up to 800 milligrams of THC securely and discreetly cultivate up to eight plants, with up to four flowering and mature at home possess up to 2 pounds of cannabis at home