The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will officially open a public comment period on January 13 for proposed expedited rules shaping the state’s newly legalized marijuana industry.
The proposed rules will be published in the State Register that day, with a PDF version available for public review on the OCM website.
Members of the public will have until 4:30 p.m. CST on February 12 to submit their input. Comments can be submitted online via the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) website, through U.S. mail to 600 North Robert Street, P.O. Box 64620, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0620, or by fax to 651-539-0310. Instructions for submitting online comments are detailed on the OAH website.
This public comment period is a critical milestone in the state’s efforts to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for its cannabis industry. Once the notice of intent to adopt rules is published, it marks the final opportunity for Minnesotans to provide feedback before the regulations are finalized. Participants are encouraged to identify specific portions of the rules they are addressing, provide reasons for their input, and propose changes. Comments regarding the legality of the proposed rules are also welcomed.
The OCM has laid extensive groundwork to reach this point, including surveys and stakeholder meetings held throughout 2024. Initial drafts of the rules were released for feedback from July 31 to August 30, 2024, as part of a broader effort to ensure public and industry perspectives were incorporated.
Minnesota legalized marijuana for adults aged 21 and older in 2023, creating a regulated system that includes retail outlets, licensed growers, and processors. While possession and home cultivation became legal in August 2023, the state is now finalizing the framework for the commercial cannabis market. To date, over 3,000 business licenses have been preapproved, signaling strong interest in the burgeoning industry.
The OCM encourages all stakeholders and members of the public to participate in this rulemaking process to help shape the future of Minnesota’s cannabis industry.
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