A new law took effect July 1 in Minnesota to allow the sale of cannabis edibles and beverages infused with hemp-derived THC, but some of the state’s cities are pumping the brakes as they develop local rules for the industry.
In the past month, Marshall, Robbinsdale and St. Joseph have approved moratoriums on sales, according to the Duluth News Tribune, while other cities, including Waite Park and Prior Lake, are considering bans as they weigh regulations to govern cannabis-infused food and drinks.
In addition, Stillwater enacted a one-year moratorium on all cannabis product sales in November 2021, the Duluth News Tribune reported.
“We have no regulations,” Steve Meister, a city council member in Marshall, told the news outlet. “We have no monitoring. We have no taxing. I worry about the people who are most at risk: the children, the young, the elderly people on multiple medications. Taking a timeout just to do a little research on the pros, the cons, the benefits, the risks and figuring out how we’re going to deal with this not only in the city of Marshall, but the state, is a great idea.”
Under Minnesota’s new law, adults 21 and older can purchase “edible cannabinoid products” that contain no more than 5 milligrams of hemp-derived THC per serving and 50 milligrams per package, and no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
The sale of edibles containing delta-8 THC and CBD were already legal in the state, but the new law allows for delta-9 THC to be used as an additive in edibles and beverage products as long as it is derived from legally certified hemp.
Separately, patients enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program will be able to access edible products starting Aug. 1 under a change the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) approved last year.
The MDH continues to oversee the state’s medical cannabis program, while the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy is responsible for regulating all other cannabis-infused edibles and beverages.
Cities can decide where sales are allowed, which businesses can sell the products and the hours when sales can occur, the Duluth News Tribune reported.