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CHRONICLING LEGAL CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA

By Matt DeLong

In this week’s Nuggets: Anxiety is growing over the legal Minnesota cannabis market’s launch date; Rochester punts cannabis business regulation to Olmsted County; Clemon “Dr. Dabs” Dabney shares his origin story in Minnesota Star Tribune op-ed debut; Marshall introduces regulations for cannabis businesses; Office of Cannabis Management seeks public comment on three potential new medical cannabis delivery methods; and a Minnesota task force recommends decriminalizing magic mushrooms.

Anxiety growing over legal Minnesota cannabis market’s launch date: A pair of news articles published this week raise questions about the likelihood that the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will meet its long-held goal of licensing businesses and launching a legal cannabis market by early 2025. MinnPost’s Peter Callaghan reports that the agency’s acting director, Charlene Briner, now acknowledges the preapproval lottery for a limited number of social equity business licenses is unlikely to happen this fall, as planned. “I am confident that we will hold a lottery before the end of 2024,” Briner told Callaghan. 

The delay is related to the OCM’s review of more than 1,800 applications for preapproval, Callaghan reports, in which it must verify that the ownership of these prospective businesses comply with the law.

Meanwhile, Corin Hoggard of Fox 9 reports that Minnesota is “on pace to be the fifth-slowest of 23 states to go from legalization to legal sales." Hoggard relays the concerns of some applicants that it could be more like late 2025 or even 2026 before retail sales begin in Minnesota.

Rochester punts cannabis business regulation to Olmsted County: Instead of limiting cannabis business licenses, Rochester officials are walking away from the issue for now, Trey Mewes reports. The city is choosing to delegate its authority over cannabis businesses to Olmsted County, meaning county officials would be responsible for licensing and enforcing regulations. The Rochester City Council voted 6-1 on Monday night in favor of the strategy, which comes as cities and counties around Minnesota ready themselves for cannabis operations to start up next year. Read more. 

Clemon “Dr. Dabs” Dabney shares his origin story in Strib op-ed debut: Cannabis entrepreneur, scientist and newly minted Minnesota Star Tribune opinion columnist Clemon Dabney published his first monthly op-ed Wednesday, in which he shares the story of how he came to love the cannabis plant and how he has worked to demystify it. Read more. (No paywall!)

Marshall introduces regulations for cannabis businesses: “This week, the city of Marshall took another step forward in creating local regulations for cannabis businesses. City Council members voted to introduce updates to Marshall ordinances that would outline the requirements for a business selling higher-potency cannabis products to register with the city. The proposed ordinance amendment would also limit the number of registered cannabis retailers in Marshall to two. However, there would not be limits on the number of registrations allowed for retailers selling ‘intoxicating hemp products,’” Deb Gau reports for the Marshall Independent. Read more.

OCM seeks public comments on three potential new medical cannabis delivery methods: The OCM’s Division of Medical Cannabis is considering adding three new forms of ingesting medical cannabis to its list of approved delivery methods: vaporized concentrates, dry powder inhalers and infused cannabis flower. Anyone who wishes to share their opinion can submit comments using this form. The deadline for public comments is Nov. 5, after which the OCM will review them and issue a final decision by Dec. 2.

Minnesota task force recommends decriminalizing magic mushrooms: “A task force created by the Minnesota Legislature has recommended the state decriminalize the use of psychedelic mushrooms, but stopped short of supporting full legalization for personal use. The Psychedelic Medicine Task Force was created to survey the research on potential therapeutic uses of hallucinogens like LSD, MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms, and to recommend changes to state law if appropriate. The task force has also called for more funding for clinical research on the medical use of hallucinogens, and for the state to create a program for regulating the clinical use of mushrooms as a medical treatment,” Christopher Ingraham reports for the Minnesota Reformer. Read more. 

Did you miss last week’s Nuggets? Read it here.

Oct. 13 (Sun.): Soul Nourish Yoga - "Join us for an enchanting experience! 60-minute yoga, guided meditation and live music." 10 -11 a.m. Hi Flora! 2558 S. Lyndale Av., Minneapolis. Tickets and more info.

Oct. 15 (Tue.): 420 Bingo Bongo - "Like bingo but with 420-friendly prizes." 7-8:30 p.m. AEGIR Brewing Co., 19050 NW. Industrial Blvd., Elk River. More info. 

Oct. 19 (Sat.): Cannabis Croptoberfest Cultivation Class - "Designed for beginners as well as experienced growers, this class will have a hands-on grow tent demonstration as well as general cultivation and care techniques for your winter garden. You’ll leave with everything you need to get growing — including premium seeds bred in Minnesota!" Preregistration is required. 1-3 p.m. Heidi's GrowHaus, 7555 County Road 116, Corcoran. More info. 

Oct. 25-27 (Fri.-Sun.): Haunted Hayride HarvestFest - "This 21+ event is packed with fall fun and Halloween thrills!" Featuring a haunted hayride, costume contest, pumpkin carving contest and a homegrown cannabis cup. 28184 Swanson Road, Willow River. Tickets and more info. 

Find more cannabis-related events at mnweedevents.com.

Talk to us! We want to hear what you think about Nuggets. Send feedback, questions, events, story tips or new feature ideas to nuggets@startribune.com.

Derek in St. Paul submitted this charmingly named Roadkill Skunk plant, growing indoors in living soil. Thanks for sharing!

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