Minnesota: Market and legal data analysis of the cannabis sector

22nd April 2024: US - Minnesota: House File (HF) 4757 has been passed by the House and now goes to the Senate. The bill would accelerate the transition of the medical cannabis and hemp-derived enforcement divisions to the purview of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) purview by 1st July of this year. The bill would also introduce some changes related to testing and licensing requirements.
19th January 2024: US - Minnesota: The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has issued two reports that include legislative recommendations. Among the recommendations, the OCM proposes unifying supply chains of medical and recreational cannabis and issuing temporary licences to accelerate the timeline for launching a recreational market. Additionally, one report states that to meet statutory requirements for retail registrations, the state will need at least 381 dispensaries.
31st October 2023: US - Minnesota: The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is seeking input from the public as it drafts rules for its recreational cannabis programme. An online survey will be open until 30th November to receive input on such issues as licensing, testing, labelling and social equity.
26th September 2023: US - Minnesota: The newly-appointed commissioner of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) resigned a day after being appointed due to allegations that her former company sold illegal cannabis products, press reports. Although recreational cannabis has been legalised, the OCM is being formed to regulate and oversee the programme, and the resignation is a likely setback to those efforts.
13th July 2023: US - Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has updated the state’s medical cannabis programme by adding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to the list of qualifying conditions. This brings the total number of qualifying conditions in Minnesota’s medical cannabis programme to 19. However, patients certified with IBS or OCD will need to wait until 1st August before they can purchase medical cannabis from authorised dispensaries. Eligible patients can now enrol in the programme and access medical cannabis for their certified condition.
8th June 2023: US – Minnesota: House Bill 100, due to come into effect on 1st August, legalises high-producing delta-8 and delta-9 THC derived from industrial hemp, allowing consumers access, in contrast to many other states’ stances. The law also allows the sale of gummies, edibles and drinks, including in liquor stores, which will be allowed to sell hemp-derived CBD products. Press reports that craft brewers will benefit from regulated production and sale of low-dose THC drinks, expanding the market.
31st May 2023: US - Minnesota: Minnesota has become the 23rd state to legalise adult-use cannabis. Governor Tim Walz signed House File 100 into law, allowing individuals aged 21 and over to use cannabis. The law includes automatic expungement of low-level cannabis convictions and establishes regulations for cultivation, manufacturing, and sales through licensed businesses. Starting 1st August, adults can possess, use, and grow cannabis at home.
26th May 2023: US - Minnesota: Governor Tim Walz has signed significant bills that will establish a psychedelics task force and allow for safe drug consumption sites. Under Senate File 2995, the task force will advise lawmakers on the potential legalisation of psychedelic medicine and develop a plan for statutory changes and regulation. Additionally, with the enactment of Senate File 2934, Minnesota becomes the second state to authorise overdose prevention centres, providing a medically supervised environment for illicit drug use. These measures aim to promote harm reduction and signify a progressive approach to drug policy in Minnesota, press reports.
22nd May 2023: US - Minnesota: After reconciling differences between the House and Senate versions, a consensus was reached, and the final version of the bill that would make Minnesota the 23rd state to legalise adult-use cannabis has been sent to governor Tim Walz, who has pledged to sign it. House File 100 would allow adults (21+) to purchase and possess up to 2 oz of cannabis in public, 8 g of cannabis concentrate, and edible products containing up to 800 ml of THC, and to cultivate up to eight plants at home. The bill would impose an additional 10% gross receipts tax, on top of the state’s 6.875% sales tax. It also includes provisions for expunging prior cannabis records and implementing a taxation system for cannabis sales. The legislation also includes allowing on-site consumption permits for events and cannabis delivery services. Municipalities and counties could operate government dispensaries, while local governments can regulate operational hours, location, and licence numbers.
2nd May 2023: US - Minnesota: Senate File 73 – the Senate version of House File 100 – has been passed by the Senate. Both bills would legalise cannabis use by over-21s, establishing a legal framework and tax structure for an adult-use market. Both have now been passed by their respective chambers and must be reconciled by the House-Senate Conference Committee before heading to the governor’s desk. Among other differences, the Senate version allows the possession of up to 5 lbs of cannabis flower at home, though only 2 lbs may be from sources other than home-grown, and sets a 10% tax rate on cannabis products. The House version sets the possession limit at 1.5 lbs, regardless of its source, and imposes a tax rate of 8%. Democratic governor Tim Walz has already pledged to sign the bill once it reaches his desk.
2nd May 2023: US - Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has extended the application period for licences to grow and process hemp. Since online applications have already closed, a paper application will need to be filled out and postmarked by 31st May.

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