Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has posted the first draft of proposed rules (PDF) for its cannabis industry.
The OCM is encourageing people to submit feedback on the draft rules by using this form. The feedback window will be open from July 31-Aug. 30.
This is not the official rules package, but rather a first draft in advance of the public comment period expected later this fall. The first draft is based on input OCM has received through surveys, meetings, and conversations that took place since last fall as well as OCM’s review of Minnesota’s cannabis statute and cannabis rules in other states.
The draft rules may change as the OCM goes through the formal rulemaking process. The draft rules arrive almost exactly one year after Minnesota officially legalized adult-use cannabis.
Later this year, the OCM will publish in the State Register a notice of intent to adopt rules, which will prompt a 30-day formal comment period. Watch the OCM website for updates.
Rulemaking topics
Areas addressed through rulemaking include:
- Licensing – license types, forms, procedures, required disclosures, felony disqualifications, limits on licenses held
- Social equity considerations
- Manufacturing and retail (facilities and operations)
- Packaging and labeling
- Testing (laboratory approval, sampling, protocols, and standards)
- Expedited complaint process (for local governments)
- Integrated cannabis tracking, inventory, and verification system
- Environmental controls (odor limits, water use, energy use, solid waste disposal)
- Use of pesticides and fertilizers
- Medical cannabis and the patient registry program
