Minnesota to Legalize Recreational Marijuana and Home Cultivation on August 1st
On Tuesday, Minnesota is set to become the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana. One of the key provisions of the new law will permit Minnesotans to cultivate up to eight cannabis plants in their homes. To support this, stores will be allowed to sell cannabis seeds to the public on the same day the law takes effect.
In order to ensure proper regulation, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will treat weed seeds like any other agricultural product, enforcing labeling and testing requirements under the state’s seed law. The primary aim is to promote consumer protection and transparency in the market. Michael Merriman, the seed regulatory supervisor at the agency, emphasized the importance of truth in labeling, so consumers can easily understand the contents of the seed packages, including the quantity and type of seeds they are purchasing.
Businesses intending to supply seeds to retail stores must obtain a permit from the Department of Agriculture and provide specific information on their products, such as the amount of seed per package, the name of the company responsible for labeling, and a lot number to trace the seeds’ origin. Additionally, the law mandates testing for contaminants and germination rates to determine the yield of the seeds.
To ensure compliance, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture conducts routine inspections and investigates consumer complaints, which can be submitted online. The agency has the authority to issue violations if seed labelers fail to adhere to the law’s requirements.
Despite marijuana’s classification as a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level, the legality of cannabis seeds has been clarified. A letter from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to the law firm Vicente LLP stated that seeds with less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis are considered hemp and are therefore not subject to the same restrictions as marijuana.
With the introduction of this new law, Minnesota is taking steps to responsibly regulate the recreational marijuana market and empower its residents to cultivate cannabis for personal use within specified limits.
During a webinar held on Wednesday, Michael Merriman and other representatives from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture addressed various questions related to cannabis seeds. One of the main points of clarification was about the need for permits. They emphasized that seed labelers must obtain a state license, while retailers selling seeds in their stores do not require a permit.
Among the businesses preparing for the legalization of recreational marijuana is Green Nectar Cultivation, a new venture seeking a state license for seed labeling. Its owner, Ian Davis, initially started the company in 2019 with plans to enter the emerging hemp industry. However, the pandemic disrupted those plans. When Minnesota lawmakers legalized recreational marijuana, Davis saw an opportunity and decided to act promptly.
Davis expressed his excitement, stating that it was time to brainstorm and explore legal opportunities to bring products to the market on the first day of legalization, which includes cannabis seeds. His company aims to supply seeds to seven retail stores across Minnesota, starting from the following week. Furthermore, he envisions exploring other cannabis-related business opportunities permitted under the new law, which establishes a regulatory framework for retail sales and cannabis product manufacturing.
While there are currently ten business licenses available for the adult-use cannabis market, and more for medical cannabis and low-dose hemp THC-infused edibles, it might take about a year before those businesses can begin their operations. This is due to the establishment of a new state regulatory agency, the Office of Cannabis Management, which is still in its early stages of development.
Davis shared his motivation for entering the industry, stating his desire to contribute to the reallocation of funds to communities that have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.
Starting August 1, Minnesotans will be allowed to possess up to two pounds of cannabis flower in their homes and carry up to two ounces on their person while in public. To learn more about the law, click here.
