Minnesota

The launch of Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis industry has been delayed at least several months after officials abandoned a social equity early licensing plan this month, moving instead to open with general licensing later next year.

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management recently denied petitions to add cannabinoid-infused powders, infused flowers, or concentrated cannabis products as new delivery methods for the state’s medical cannabis program.

A Minnesota judge blocked the state’s cannabis social equity license lottery this week in light of several lawsuits filed by applicants whose applications were denied last week.

Two lawsuits filed against the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management aim to delay the state’s social equity licensing lottery after the agency denied about two-thirds of the social equity applicants.

Minnesota officials this week denied about 1,200 cannabis social equity applicants, two-thirds of those who applied, for issues ranging from inadequate paperwork to “flooding” the application pool in an attempt to improve the odds of receiving a license.

About 14% of respondents in a recent Minnesota poll said they have consumed cannabis or hemp-derived THC products in the past month.

Minnesota cannabis officials have received 1,817 applications for cannabis industry licenses. The first licenses will go to social equity applicants, and regulators have verified social equity status for 2,307 individuals, mostly veterans and people with cannabis-related convictions.

A Minnesota law that bans cannabis smoking in multifamily homes has taken effect however the law provides some exceptions for medical cannabis patients.

Minneapolis-based Headflyer Brewing this month started offering hemp-derived, THC-infused beverages on tap under a new state regulation that took effect July 1.

Minnesota officials reported earning more than $10 million in taxes on hemp-derived THC products since the state’s low-potency hemp market launched nearly a year ago.

Officials with the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management said they had received more than 700 applications for social equity licenses within the first 24 hours of the application window opening.

A new Minnesota law bars police from carrying out warrantless vehicle searches based solely on the detection of cannabis odor; the law reaffirms the state’s Supreme Court ruling on the issue last year.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed into law a bill to award some cannabis cultivation licenses earlier than expected so operators can be better prepared for next year’s industry launch.

Between 30-40% of Minnesota adults could qualify as applicants to the state’s cannabis social equity program under rules approved by state lawmakers earlier this year.

Four people who grow cannabis in Minnesota are suing state cannabis regulators, arguing that a section of the state constitution should allow them to sell the cannabis produced under the state’s cannabis home grow provisions.

The Connecticut Senate has passed a bill to establish stricter regulations on intoxicating hemp products sold in the state; the proposal heads next to the governor’s desk.

As Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis regulations come together, lawmakers are considering giving some cannabis cultivators an early start to avoid potential delays to the state’s cannabis program.

Minnesota House lawmakers last week passed social equity cannabis licensing provisions and other adjustments to the state’s upcoming adult-use cannabis program.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Records indicated that the state will be ready to expunge more than 60,000 misdemeanor cannabis convictions in May under last year’s adult-use legalization law.

A Minnesota new proposal would double the cannabis home grow limits from 8 to 16 plants for registered medical cannabis patients and also allow patients to designate caregivers to grow for them.

As the Minnesota cannabis industry awaits a possible launch in 2025, officials have warned hemp product retailers that inspectors will begin examining their hemp flower products to make sure they do not exceed the 0.3% delta-9 THC potency limits.

In a recent report prefacing the state’s upcoming adult-use cannabis market, Minnesota officials said they will need to license at least 381 cannabis dispensaries to satisfy the state’s legalization law.