Effective July 1, certain products containing THC are now legal in Minnesota.

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Erin Huppert

One of the final bills to clear the Legislature in May contained a little-debated provision with potentially significant implications. Beginning on Friday, July 1, Minnesotans aged 21 and older can purchase liquids and consumable goods containing small amounts of cannabidiols (CBD) and/or THC. THC is the ingredient in cannabis that produces a “high.”

New THC products must be derived from legally certified hemp containing trace amounts of the psychoactive compound. Under the new law, products must be clearly labeled and sold only to those 21 or older. Edibles must be in child-proof and tamper-evident packages, have clearly defined serving sizes and carry a warning label. They are also limited to half the THC or CBD generally available in states that have adopted recreational marijuana laws.

With this legislative change, lawmakers intended to bring consumer protections and regulatory oversight of emerging THC variants that were not subject to state laws. In doing so, the law appears to have created legal access to consumable types of cannabis. It is important to note that marijuana-derived THC remains illegal. This change comes outside the Minnesota Medical Cannabis program, which permits the legal use of marijuana for certified medical purposes. LeadingAge Minnesota will monitor the impact of this change and assess whether there should be additional guidance from our state and federal regulators.