Four Minnesota Shops Fined for Illegal Cannabis Sales

Four Minnesota businesses were fined $10,000 each in civil penalties last year related to illegal cannabis. According to a 2025 state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) report to the state legislature, the agency found more than 199 pounds of illicit cannabis flower at 134 sites from January to October of 2024. 

Adult-use cannabis is legal in Minnesota but permitted sales have yet to commence. 

“Additional challenges encountered by the office related to the illicit cannabis market include: the practice of businesses ‘gifting’ cannabis along with other purchases, online cannabis sales and mobile cannabis delivery services, peddler stands selling product at family friendly events like the Minnesota State Fair, and other large public cannabis events.” — OCM report 

OCM said around $607,000 worth of flower was voluntarily destroyed by businesses upon inspection. The report adds that “Given the illicit nature of illegal sales of cannabis, the size of such a market is not able to be determined with complete accuracy or consistency.”  

OCM notes that it is preparing to issue adult-use cannabis licenses “in the coming months”; however, the agency is in flux. Earlier this month the director, Charline Briner, resigned and General Counsel Eric Taubel was tabbed to serve as the agency’s interim director. The agency also abandoned its social equity licensing plan amid lawsuits, opting instead for general licensing.