Minnesota cannabis laws you must need to know in 2024

In Minnesota, adults who are 21 years old or older can now legally use and have cannabis. This makes Minnesota the 23rd state in the country to allow cannabis for recreational use.

A new store has opened on the Red Lake Nation in north-central Minnesota where people can now buy marijuana for recreational use. Here is the current information we have about the legalization of recreational cannabis in Minnesota. Please come back later to see if there are any new updates.

When did Minnesota legalize cannabis?

In 2014, lawmakers in Minnesota passed a bill that made some forms of medical marijuana legal. The products then became available in 2015. The program initially included oils, pills, and other forms that cannot be smoked. The leaf form was approved for that program in 2021. In 2022, Minnesota made it legal to sell and consume edibles that have a small amount of THC derived from hemp.

Gov. Tim Walz signed a new law on May 30 that allows adults 21 and older to use cannabis for fun starting on Aug. 1. The bill was passed by the Legislature earlier that month. A few Republicans joined the almost unanimous Democratic vote in favor.

When and where will recreational dispensaries open?

Dispensaries cannot open until the state establishes a licensing system for the businesses. This means they will not open for at least another year, with some estimates suggesting early 2025. However, tribal governments can open dispensaries without waiting for the state’s licensing system. Minnesota has 11 Native American tribal nations that are sovereign, which means they can operate independently from state laws and regulations.

A recreational marijuana dispensary opened on August 1st in the Red Lake Nation in north central Minnesota. The Red Lake dispensary is named NativeCare. It has been offering medical marijuana to both band members and non-members since April. People who are 21 years old or older can go shopping there.

Also read: California City Cannabis Owner Upset With Accusations of Violations

What is legal for me to have and do?

While Minnesotans don’t have many recreational dispensaries to buy cannabis from, they are allowed to possess, use, and grow it.

Having two ounces or less of something in public is not considered a crime anymore. Individuals would also have permission to possess up to 8 grams of cannabis concentrate, edibles containing up to 800 milligrams of THC, and two pounds of cannabis in their own homes. They will also have the ability to cultivate up to eight marijuana plants. Only four plants can reach maturity and start flowering at the same time. If you go over the limit, you may have to pay a civil penalty of $500 for each plant.

The law permits individuals who are 21 years old or older to use, but there are restrictions. You cannot smoke in public school areas, where smoking is not allowed, places where minors could breathe in smoke or vapor, or while driving a car or boat.

If you sell it without a license, you could face increasing criminal and financial penalties depending on the amount you sell illegally. It is allowed to give cannabis to someone who is 21 years old or older without charging them. Some people got ready to grow cannabis at home by setting up their own growing systems ahead of time. They planned to start growing on August 1st.

How can I buy cannabis seeds?

According to state seed law, businesses must occasionally test their cannabis seeds to make sure that the information on the label matches what they claim. However, the testing process has been delayed because the state has not yet been able to begin testing.

“We have not yet begun accepting items for testing.” “In Minnesota, we have a requirement that things must be labeled with a test that can prove the claims made on the label,” explained Michael Merriman, who is the seed regulatory supervisor at the state plant protection division. “That is done to ensure the safety and well-being of seed consumers in the state.”

Merriman said that around 30 businesses have submitted applications for state permits to label cannabis seeds up to this point. People in Minnesota are allowed to purchase cannabis seeds that are labeled in other states. Merriman explains that this has caused frustration for retailers who want to immediately offer more seeds grown in Minnesota.