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CHRONICLING LEGAL CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA

By Matt DeLong

In this week’s Nuggets: Cannabis regulations are approved and are expected take effect Monday; Minnesota could launch its legal marijuana market soon. Here’s what happens next; a judge ordered the state’s cannabis agency to hold a canceled social equity lottery after all; Olmsted County talks low-dose hemp sales compliance, cannabis lottery; the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) releases testing standard guidance for cannabis products; hemp-derived cannabinoid product manufacturers and retailers must register with the OCM before Monday; ex-OCM boss Charlene Briner named DFL transition director; and keep sending us your 4/20 celebrations across Minnesota!

Cannabis regulations approved, expected to take effect Monday: Administrative Law Judge Eric L. Lipman’s approval of the rules that will govern the state’s legal marijuana industry on Monday was one of the final major hurdles the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) needed to clear before it can begin licensing cannabis businesses in Minnesota. The regulations are set to be published in the state register Monday, according to OCM spokesman Josh Collins. Once that happens, the rules take effect and the OCM can start issuing business licenses, though that likely won’t happen immediately. 

Minnesota could launch its legal marijuana market soon. Here’s what happens next: The regulations that will govern the cannabis industry are expected to take effect Monday. The state’s first pot business licenses could be issued within weeks. Here's a detailed look at where things stand and what comes next. Read more. (Gift link!)

Judge orders Minnesota cannabis agency to hold canceled social equity lottery after all: Minnesota must conduct a preapproval lottery for cannabis business licenses that it abandoned late last year, a Ramsey County judge ruled last Friday, saying social equity applicants who qualified for the drawing suffered a “public wrong” because of its cancellation. Taubel said in a statement Sunday that the OCM intends to seek dismissal of the order at an April 21 court hearing. Read more. 

Olmsted County talks low-dose hemp sales compliance, cannabis lottery: Olmsted County, which includes the city of Rochester, is getting ready to enforce compliance rules for businesses that sell low-dose hemp products, Trey Mewes reports. The Olmsted County Board on Tuesday approved new regulations for area businesses selling hemp edibles, including age checks and potential fines for violations. The move comes as state officials turn enforcement for THC age compliance over to municipal and county governments. Read more.

OCM releases testing standard guidance for cannabis products: The OCM on Thursday published a 27-page document detailing Minnesota's laboratory sampling and testing requirements for cannabis and hemp products manufactured or sold by state-licensed businesses. You can read it here.

Do you make or sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products? Be sure to register with the OCM before Monday. All Minnesota businesses that produce or sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products and wish to continue to do so are required to register with the OCM before cannabis rules take effect on Monday. Registered businesses will have to convert to a lower-potency hemp edible retailer or manufacturer license when those become available later this year. Only registered businesses in good standing with the state are eligible for license conversion. Taubel warned that the OCM will “take necessary action” to shut down unregistered businesses found selling these products illegally.

Ex-OCM boss Charlene Briner named DFL transition director: Following Ken Martin’s ascension to lead the Democratic National Committee, the DFL rolled out a new slate of party leaders Thursday. Former OCM Interim Director Charlene Briner, who led the agency since its inception before stepping down in January, will serve as the DFL’s transition director “to support the incoming and outgoing leadership team.” 

Planning a 4/20 celebration? Tell us about it. April 20, the unofficial holiday celebrating all things cannabis, is fast approaching. If your business is planning something special to mark the day, or if you know of others who are, we’d love to hear about it. We’ll publish a list of 4/20-related events, specials and discounts across Minnesota next week. Please send details to nuggets@startribune.com.

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SensiSeeker in Minneapolis sent us this massive Tramp Stamp plant from Exotic Genetics. It's just one plant spread out across a 5- by 5-foot grow tent using the "Screen of Green" or "scrog" technique, Sensi writes. Thanks for sharing!

Homegrowers, show off your plants! Share your best photo with us by clicking the button below and we'll publish one each week in Nuggets. By submitting a photo you affirm that you own the rights to it and you are granting permission to the Star Tribune to publish it on its platforms.

April 15 (Tue.): From Qualified Applicant to Licensed Business Webinar - "Learn what happens after you're designated a qualified applicant, finalize your application and avoid common mistakes that delay licenses." Presented by Blunt Strategies and Canna Advisors. Registration required. 3-3:45 p.m. More info. 

April 19 (Sat.): 1st annual 4:20 Northeast Block Party - "An immersive experience that celebrates the intersection of culture, community and cannabis." Presented by Hemp House. Use discount code "NUGGETS" for 42% off tickets. Noon-6 p.m. 501 NE. 1st Av., Minneapolis. Tickets and more info. 

April 24 (Thu.): Minnesota Monthly's CannaFest - "An exclusive event showcasing the finest THC and CBD-infused products from across the state and beyond." 6-9 p.m. Machine Shop, 300 SE. 2nd St., Minneapolis. Tickets and more info. 

Got questions about cannabis? 

Send them to us and we'll do our best to answer as many as we can in future newsletters.