Today, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced that on June 2 it will open a new window for accepting registrations for businesses seeking to sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs) to consumers.
Hemp plants.
Businesses that sell HDCPs but are not registered with the Office of Cannabis Management are in violation of Minnesota law and will be subject to enforcement action including the destruction of all the business’s HDCPs and penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation, according to a press release from OCM.
The second registration window will remain open until August 31, making it possible for unregistered businesses to become eligible to sell HDCPs, including hemp-derived THC beverages, during the busy summer season. OCM also announced that starting October 1 and continuing through October 31, it will accept business license applications for three license types: lower-potency hemp edible retailers, lower-potency hemp edible manufacturers, and lower-potency hemp edible wholesalers – the last of which is a new license type approved by the 2025 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on Friday, May 23.
Businesses registered prior to April 14, 2025, will be able to convert to these license types at this time. New businesses and businesses registered after June 1, 2025, will be able to apply for these licenses during the October license application window as well.
After a lengthy education and promotion campaign, OCM closed the first registration window on April 14 following the adoption of rules governing Minnesota’s cannabis industry, which set in place OCM’s ability to issue business licenses. With the announcement of the October window for lower-potency hemp edible (LPHE) licenses, OCM’s decision to resume registrations creates an opportunity for businesses to enter the market. In addition to accommodating new registrants, the decision offers an opportunity for current registrants to update previously submitted registrations and remain in compliance with Minnesota law.
“As we prepare to issue cannabis business licenses and the upcoming lottery on June 5 for license types that are capped in statute, we are leaving no one behind,” said OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel. “Opening a registration window for new hemp retailers this summer allows hemp businesses to continue driving revenue and economic opportunities to the entire state.”
Once the registration window closes August 31, no new registrations or changes to registration will be accepted during the month of September as OCM prepares for the conversion from a registration system to a full business license for lower-potency hemp edible retailers, manufacturers, and wholesalers.
What this means for current HDCP retailers
Current HDCP registrants who apply for an LPHE license will be able to continue to sell products compliant with Minnesota Statutes, section 151.72, until they receive a license. Registrants who do not apply for a license must immediately end all sales of HDCPs on October 31.
Upon licensure, all products and retail operations must comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 342.46; Minnesota Rules, part 9810.2503; and all other applicable laws. During the transition period, some retailers will operate under section 151.72 and others under chapter 342, depending on their licensure status. Retailers who apply for an LPHE license but were not previously registered will need to wait to commence operations until after they receive their LPHE license.
Applicants must be in good standing with OCM in order to successfully convert their registration to a license, meaning they do not have any outstanding fines or open correction orders against them.
Detailed instructions for registering a hemp business and applying for a lower-potency hemp edible business license are available on our website.
For more information, visit mn.gov/ocm.
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