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Cannabis in Minnesota

Medical cannabis was legalized in Minnesota in 2014, but it wasn’t until 2015 that patients could access it through licensed distribution centers across the state. However, the state medical marijuana program is limited.

For example, the statute does not allow flower or smoking of cannabis. Instead, patients can only access cannabis in liquid form, including, but not limited to, oil, pills, vaporized delivery method “with use of liquid or oil but which does not require the use of dried leaves or plant form,” or “any other method, excluding smoking, approved by the commissioner.”

Overview of Key Minnesota Cannabis Laws

Is medical cannabis allowed? Yes

Is adult-use cannabis allowed? No

Personal Laws

Possession of 42.5 grams or less of cannabis in Minnesota is a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $200 and no jail time. Possessing more than 42.5 grams is a felony. Purchases must be made from licensed dispensaries (referred to as “distribution centers” or “Patient Care Centers”).

Personal Possession

Overall Possession: Up to 42.5 grams of non-smokable cannabis preparations (a 30 day supply for registered medical marijuana patients)

Non-Minnesota Resident Purchases and Possession: None. Minnesota does not offer reciprocity with other states.

Personal Growing

Personal growing or cannabis is not allowed in Minnesota.

Registered Medical Patient Growing: None

Registered Caregiver Growing: None

Medical Cannabis Patient Qualification and Registry

Patients are required to register in the state’s registry and pay the $200 registration fee. They must renew their cards each year for $200. Patients must have a qualifying condition and receive a medical marijuana certification from a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse who participates in the state’s medical cannabis program. If a patient needs a caregiver, the health care provider must allow them to add one during the certification process. Caregivers must register in the state’s registry.

Qualifying medical conditions include:

  • Cancer associated with severe/chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
  • Intractable pain
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Autism
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less than one year (the patient must suffer from cancer or a terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year if the illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or chronic pain; nausea or severe vomiting; or Cachexia or severe wasting)

Business Laws

Per the Minnesota statute, full vertical integration or “license stacking” is required. The only license type in the state is the Medical Cannabis Manufacturer license for an “entity registered by the commissioner to cultivate, acquire, manufacture, possess, prepare, transfer, transport, supply, or dispense medical cannabis, delivery devices, or related supplies and educational materials.”

Residency is not required to apply for a cannabis business license in Minnesota. However, only two manufacturer licenses are allowed per the state’s statute, and both licenses have been awarded. That number can only change through future legislation. Each manufacturer operates four dispensaries for a total of eight locations across the state, which are based on geographical need to improve patient access.

 

License Types

  1. Medical Cannabis Manufacturer License

License Fees

Medical Cannabis Manufacturer: $20,000 application fee (non-refundable) and annual fee of $75,000-$100,000

License Timeline

The two Medical Cannabis Manufacturer licenses allowed in Minnesota were awarded in 2014. Additional licenses can only be made available through future legislation.

Testing

Testing is required of cannabis in Minnesota.

Training

License holders and employees are not required to complete training in Minnesota.

Learn More about Cannabis in Minnesota and How to Work or Start a Business in the Minnesota Cannabis Industry

Leafy Green Agency offers a variety of certification seminars for people who want to start businesses, find jobs, get promotions, or invest in the cannabis industry in Minnesota and across the country. Follow the link to register for an upcoming seminar.

Sources and More Information

Data current as of 11/15/19.