MN's Above Average Standing Extends to Tribal Cannabis Policy

MN CANNABIS UPDATES

OCM finally updated the Market Monitor to reflect the June data!

Hemp lives to fight another month

Minnesota has been holding its collective breath as the calendar marches toward November 12, 2026, the date the federal hemp ban is currently set to take effect.

Minnesota industry leaders have been vigorously lobbying our federal representatives to stop the ban or, at a minimum, kick the can down the road. We sort of got our wish. The Senate passed a continuing resolution that included a provision extending the ban’s effective date from November 12 to December 11, 2026.

Despite his unfortunately fitting name, Sen. Ted Budd attempted to amend the continuing resolution to remove the extension, which would have put us right back on track for the November 12 deadline. Sen. Amy Klobuchar rallied the troops and helped defeat Budd’s amendment in an impressive 61–3 bipartisan vote. Learn more here.

Carol’s take: The broad bipartisan position and decisive vote is a good sign that we can find a solution to preserving our hemp industry.

The Rollout Is Drudgingly Slow, But It’s Still Moving in the Right Direction

A hot topic in the industry continues to be the supply shortage. Twin Cities Business magazine recently took a look at the ongoing challenge retailers face in keeping cannabis products on their shelves.

In the meantime, many retailers have turned to lower-potency hemp edibles and beverages to help fill the gap. If those products go away (see above), retailers could find themselves in an even tougher position.

The timing of Minnesota’s licensing process hasn’t helped: retailers and cultivators have been licensed on roughly the same timeline, meaning stores have been able to open their doors for about as long as cultivators have had to get seeds in the ground and produce a crop.

Carol’s take: While we don’t have the official numbers yet, a significant number of cultivators were licensed in July. Hopefully, that means Croptober will bring a meaningful boost to the state’s cannabis supply. Yes, I know that’s late in the growing season, but I’ve been assured these cultivators can still get a crop in. The question will be how fast the crops can make it from the field to the shelves.

Minnesota’s Tribal Model is Getting National Attention

The Star Tribune newspaper recently took a look at one of the unique aspects of Minnesota’ cannabis industry: tribal nations taking their cannabis businesses beyond reservation boundaries. Minnesota’s tribal nations had an early advantage in the cannabis market, because they were able to establish cannabis operations on tribal land before the state’s licensing system was fully operational.

Bigger opportunities came when Minnesota entered into tribal-state compacts and cooperative agreements allowing participating tribes to operate cannabis businesses off tribal land. This approach gives tribes an opportunity to diversify their economies by bringing cannabis businesses, jobs and revenue into communities throughout the state, rather than limiting their operations to customers on tribal land. Minnesota’s approach has attracted attention from other tribes and states looking for ways to structure their own cannabis markets.

Carol’s take: Of course, Minnesota is a trailblazer. It’s the state where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average, and apparently, now our tribal cannabis policy is above average, too.

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Guest Blog: How do you Secure a Matching MN OSHA Grant for Your Cannabis Facility?

By Cathy Hovde of Resilient EHS

If your facility operates in Minnesota, there is a state resource designed to bridge a financial gap: Minnesota OSHA (MN OSHA) Safety Grants. As a cannabis facility owner, balancing the operational realities of a rapidly evolving industry with strict regulatory compliance can feel like an uphill battle. Budgets are tight, and while we all strive for the highest level of safety for our workers, many of the best engineering controls can be capital intensive upfront. Minnesota OSHA has stepped up for employee safety.

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what these grants entail, how the application process works, and how cannabis operators can strategically invest these funds to drive down injuries, illnesses, and compliance risks.gineering records required to demonstrate system integrity and regulatory adherence.

READ MORE HERE →

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FEDERAL CANNABIS NEWS

I’ll Believe it When I See It

The federal push to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III continues to march on. The DEA finished its formal hearing on the proposed rescheduling in July, and the parties are now moving on to the next step: reviewing the transcripts and submitting their post-hearing briefs, which are due August 17. After that, the administrative law judge will issue a recommended decision. There is no set deadline for the judge to issue that recommendation, so unfortunately, we don’t have a clear timetable for when the next step will happen. And remember, it’s a recommendation. The final decision still rests with the DEA.

So, are we there yet? Not even close. I also expect prohibitionist groups to challenge any decision to reschedule marijuana, which could add another layer of delay and uncertainty. In other words, we are nowhere near the point where cannabis businesses should start making business plans that depend on saying goodbye to the dreaded § 280E.

Carol’s take: I should put “Buzz Killer” on my business card, because that’s how I see the situation. The whole process could still take years to complete, so don’t start counting your anticipated § 280E savings just yet. But you know how we can avoid all of this dragged-out BS? Congress can just pass a law doing it. So, vote and vote accordingly.

PROUD TO PARTNER WITH MCBA FOR GREEN EQUITY 2026

You’re busy working in your business, right?

And three days for an event sounds like too much time away, right?

That’s precisely why MCBA built Green Equity differently, and why we’re proud to partner.

Green Equity, a centerpiece of Minnesota Cannabis Week, is structured across three distinct days, with a staggered schedule designed for busy operators to experience the full event.

No shade if you can only make it for one. The important thing is to take some time to work on your business, not just in it. The right conversation, relationship, or insight can save you months of time, costly mistakes, and unnecessary trial and error.

That’s time you can put back into building your business.

MONDAY | POLICY SUMMIT
Shape the Minnesota Market

TUESDAY | BUSINESS • CULTURE • COMMUNITY
Solidify Your Place in the Ecosystem

WEDNESDAY | CAPITAL • STRATEGY • GROWTH
Build a Business That Lasts

Across all three days, Green Equity brings together entrepreneurs, operators, investors, policymakers, community leaders, and ecosystem partners for practical learning, mentorship, relationship-building, and the conversations that help businesses move forward.

If relationship-building is how you do business, this is a room you should be in.

We’re proud to support MCBA and Green Equity as they create space for the people building Minnesota’s cannabis market to connect, contribute, learn from one another, and grow.

August 24–26 | Minneapolis

Advance purchase tickets available.

Use code GEPARTNER40 for an additional 40% discount off your Green Equity pass.

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