by Leah Bartizal | Dec 26, 2023 | Minnesota Cannabis News
Minnesota’s cannabis landscape is evolving, and the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is actively seeking public input to shape the future of the emerging commercial market. In its latest move, OCM has opened its third public survey, focusing on retail cannabis operations and sanitary standards within the industry.
Originally planning a total of five surveys on various cannabis-related topics, OCM is utilizing this feedback to inform the rulemaking process under the state’s recently enacted legalization law. Previous surveys covered issues such as cultivation, processing, manufacturing, pesticides, fertilizers, and environmental controls.
The current survey, open until December 28, delves into retail business operations, retail sanitary standards (facilities and handling), and an expedited complaint process for local governments. The OCM emphasizes the importance of public input, ensuring a diverse range of voices shape the rules governing the commercial cannabis market.
The survey comprises open-ended questions, allowing participants to share their insights on opportunities, key considerations, and any additional feedback. Respondents can also provide reference links or supporting documents. The OCM’s commitment to inclusivity extends to its encouragement of community members, advocates, and partners to actively participate in the rulemaking process.
Beyond the current survey, forthcoming topics include packaging and labeling, business licensing, social equity, and laboratory standards for edible products. Following the proposal of new rules by the OCM, the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback, with the expectation that the rules may be in force by 2025.
While the regulatory process unfolds, Minnesota residents aged 21 and older can already legally use, possess, and grow marijuana for personal use. Governor Tim Walz has clarified that homegrown cannabis cannot be commercially sold.
In addition to the regulatory developments, some tribes within the state have entered the legal marijuana market. The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and the White Earth Nation tribe, for example, have opened medical dispensaries, showcasing the diversity of participation in the evolving cannabis industry.
Despite regulatory progress, challenges have emerged, including the resignation of the OCM’s leader and legal considerations related to the odor of marijuana not establishing probable cause for vehicle searches.
On a broader scale, Minnesota is also addressing drug policy reform, with recent legislation legalizing drug paraphernalia possession, syringe services, controlled substances residue, and testing. Furthermore, the state is actively preparing for the potential legalization of psychedelics, with a dedicated task force already in motion.
In the political arena, Representative Dean Phillips, a consistent advocate for drug policy reform, has announced his bid for president. Former Governor Jesse Ventura has expressed interest in becoming the “first major politician in America” to have his face on a marijuana brand.
As Minnesota navigates the complexities of cannabis regulation, discussions around the interpretation of constitutional provisions have arisen. Some argue that a constitutional amendment could allow farmers to sell homegrown marijuana without a license, while others believe legislative clarification is necessary.
Governor Walz has stated that it was not the intention to create an alternative commerce pathway for homegrown marijuana sales under the current legalization law. Legal experts and lawmakers are expected to revisit and refine cannabis regulations in the coming years, reflecting the evolving nature of cannabis legislation.
by Leah Bartizal | Oct 17, 2023 | Minnesota Cannabis News
On August 1st, Minnesota joined the growing list of states legalizing recreational cannabis use. Coincidentally, residents immediately began searching for marijuana seeds.
Back in 2012, Colorado and Washington pioneered the legalization of recreational cannabis use, and over the past decade, nearly two dozen jurisdictions, including three territories (most recently the US Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia, have followed suit. Today, about half of Americans reside in states where cannabis is legally accessible.
With the widespread acceptance and regulation of cannabis, more consumers have developed a keen interest in cultivating their own plants and cultivating their own buds at home. However, the ability to buy seeds comes with certain restrictions, as most states limit the number of plants that can be grown in a household simultaneously.
Many aspiring home growers aim to save money by producing their supply, and some relish the opportunity to nurture a plant from seed to flower in their own gardens. In certain states, buying seeds remains the only legal way to obtain cannabis.
For instance, in Minnesota, most recreational dispensaries won’t be operational until 2025. This delay is due to the state needing time to establish an oversight system for its forthcoming retail market. A few recreational stores have opened in tribal nations, which have sovereignty and can operate independently from the state.
Virginia finds itself in a different situation. In 2021, the state legislature legalized recreational cannabis use and possession, but they haven’t set up the necessary regulations to create a commercial marketplace for cannabis products. In the interim, some local horticulture companies and smoke shops have resorted to selling or even giving away seeds as a workaround.
After Maryland legalized recreational cannabis in July, volunteers from the local advocacy group Maryland Marijuana Justice organized a statewide seed giveaway, distributing 30,000 cannabis seeds to the public for free. They saw this as a milestone in cannabis policy reform.
In Minnesota, shops only began selling seeds last month, but some retailers have been selling them for a while due to the unclear legal status of seeds. Online cannabis seed banks, serving customers nationwide, have seen a significant increase in business, particularly in the first two years of the pandemic.
The reasoning was simple: if you’re concerned about obtaining your medicine, you’re more likely to grow your own. However, many seed shipments have been confiscated by the US Postal Service.
Cannabis seeds occupy a peculiar place in the intersection of botany and the law. While cannabis itself remains a Schedule I controlled substance, seeds contain little to no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component responsible for the euphoric high. Due to an intriguing provision in agricultural laws, the THC content, or lack thereof, in cannabis seeds might classify them as ordinary seeds.
In 2018, the Farm Bill legalized hemp production, a specific cannabis variety characterized by low THC levels. Hemp has various applications, from energy production to agriculture and manufacturing. However, hemp can’t produce a high because it contains less than 0.3% THC when dry.
In the past year, a lawyer named Shane Pennington specializing in federal cannabis regulation wrote a letter to the Drug Enforcement Agency to clarify the status of cannabis seeds. He argued that cannabis seeds, with their negligible THC content, should be considered akin to hemp. The agency surprisingly agreed with Pennington, a determination now known as the “Pennington letter.”
Pennington felt vindicated by this letter but cautioned that due to the novelty of this legal area, individuals could still face issues if authorities continue to enforce outdated or conflicting laws. “People need to be very careful,” he emphasized.
In a way, cannabis seeds straddle a gray area. On their own, they escape strict control due to their minimal THC content. However, because they have the potential to evolve into controlled substances through careful cultivation, sellers often adopt unusual marketing strategies to mitigate risks.
