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CHRONICLING LEGAL CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA

By Matt DeLong

In this week’s Nuggets: Minneapolis makes changes to proposed cannabis rules after a public hearing; a tale of two city ordinances, 85% of social equity license preapplications were for just three license types; the OCM's crackdown on illegal cannabis products continues; Minnesota medical marijuana patients are losing patience over a state backlog; Osseo considers partnering with a private company on a municipal pot store; the OCM wants to be clear: Unlicensed cannabis delivery businesses are not legal; and Willie Nelson and his wife, Annie, author a cannabis cookbook.

Minneapolis makes changes to proposed cannabis rules after public hearing: Minneapolis officials are crafting regulations that will dictate where and how recreational cannabis can be grown and sold in the city next year, and right now the plan would allow more cannabis dispensaries to be permitted than new liquor stores or tobacco shops, Deena Winter reports. The proposed regulations would not require any buffer between dispensaries and day cares, residential treatment facilities or public parks because city employees say that would prevent the city from allowing the minimum number required by state statute. The owners of Flipside, a hemp store that was just outside a business district where dispensaries could operate under the city staff proposal, successfully lobbied the Planning Commission to lower the 5-acre zoning requirement to 3 acres. Read more.

A tale of two city ordinances: Twin Cities cannabis attorney Jen Randolph Reise argues in an opinion piece for the Star Tribune that “St. Paul is fostering a thriving cannabis market, while Minneapolis risks stifling it under the weight of excessive regulation.” Read more.

85% of social equity license applications were for just three license types: In its most recent monthly newsletter, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) released a breakdown of the 1,817 applications it received seeking preapproval for a limited number of social equity cannabis licenses to be distributed in a lottery this fall. Microbusiness licenses were the most popular license type, receiving 32.3% of overall applications, with retailer licenses trailing closely with 31.8% of applications. Mezzobusiness licenses received 20.5% of the entries. See the chart here. 

The OCM’s crackdown on illegal cannabis products continues: The OCM also announced in its newsletter that it has destroyed $878,490 worth of noncompliant hemp-derived cannabinoid products seized from retailers as of Sept. 6. Regulators have also destroyed nearly 190 pounds of cannabis flower, worth an estimated $564,900, the agency said. 

Minnesota medical marijuana patients losing patience over state backlog: KSTP’s Ryan Raiche reports that a change in state law this year allowing doctors to recommend medical marijuana for any condition has led to a sizable backlog of new applications for the state’s medical cannabis registry — leaving some longtime patients without access to medicine as they wait for their certifications to be renewed. The Office of Cannabis Management said relief is on the way soon. Read more. 

Osseo considers partnership with private company on municipal pot store: “The city of Osseo is looking at a new partnership to operate its proposed municipal cannabis store. A firm called Red Pine Group spoke to the Osseo City Council this week. The organization is offering to buy real estate and pay the upfront costs to operate a municipal cannabis store for the city. In early contract proposals, the city of Osseo would get 25 percent of the store’s profits, while the rest would go to Red Pine. … The city’s attorney also noted that the state’s cannabis laws have not been finalized. It’s not clear if the state will allow a private company to operate a municipal store on behalf of a city, or using a city’s license,” CCX Media reports. Read more.

The OCM wants to be clear: Unlicensed cannabis delivery businesses are not legal. Following our recent interview with “Jenny” of Jenny Delivers — a cannabis delivery service that has been advertising quite openly around the Twin Cities — we heard from OCM spokesman Josh Collins, who stressed that operators of such unlicensed businesses could face repercussions. Collins writes:

“The business model described on the website is not operating in a ‘gray area.’ State statute is clear that someone in the business of selling goods and services may not offer a gift of cannabis with an expectation of remuneration [Minnesota Statutes, section 342.09, subd. 1(b)(8)]. A ‘finder’s fee’ or ‘delivery fee’ is not allowed under statute and we view that as unlicensed, illegal sale of cannabis. In instances where unlicensed sales of cannabis are advertised via an anonymous website, we work with the BCA to identify those involved and take appropriate action to protect the health and safety of Minnesotans. We have issued cease-and-desist letters to such businesses and will continue to fully enforce Chapter 342. It’s also important to note that state statute was amended this past session to include a provision prohibiting OCM from issuing a cannabis business license to any person or business who has received a penalty under Chapter 342 for a period of five years.”

Willie Nelson and his wife, Annie, author cannabis cookbook: According to a release from publishing house Simon & Schuster, the country music legend and O.G. stoner celebrity “pairs his gift for storytelling and herbal remedies with his wife Annie’s passion for home cooked meals in this cookbook of cannabis-infused delicacies.” Titled simply “Willie & Annie Nelson’s Cannabis Cookbook,” the tome is set for release on Nov.12, just in time for the holidays. 

Shameless plug: In case it interests anyone, I sat down with Tanner Berris of the Minnesota Cannabis College for this week’s Northern Lights podcast. We discussed how public opinion (and media coverage) of cannabis has changed rapidly in recent years as well as some storylines we’ll be watching in the coming months, among other things. You can watch it here. 

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

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Thanks to Theresa in Norman County for sharing this absolute unit of a Gorilla Glue #4 plant, growing outdoors and measuring more than 7 feet tall. Wow!

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Oct. 4-6 (Fri.-Sun.): Disc N Dog's "Southern Aces Run" - A charity benefit featuring a disc golf tournament, camping, lots of activities and vendors. Camp Maiden Rock West, 24505 Jackson Av., Morristown. More info.

Oct. 5 (Sat.): Minne Organix Fall October Fest - "Come celebrate the season with us and enjoy great samples, education from vendors, and wonderful community vibes." 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Minne Organix, 1900 80th St., Victoria. More info. 

Oct. 10 (Thu.): Higher Love Singles Party - "In collaboration with The Date Night Podcast, we'll be serving up laughs, love, and lively conversation. Enjoy an open THC & alcohol bar, live DJ, delicious food, and a laid-back atmosphere, all while exploring the latest from our sponsor, BLNCD. Come vibe with us and see if you find your perfect match!" 7-10 p.m. Sweetleaves, 905 N. Washington Av., Minneapolis. Tickets and 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!" Pre-registration is required. 1-3 p.m. Heidi's GrowHaus, 7555 County Rd. 116, Corcoran. More info. 

Find more cannabis-related events at mnweedevents.com.

Got questions about cannabis? 

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