Sophie Leininger

The meeting agenda included Chair remarks and updates from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Key discussion points involved legislative session planning, presentation of draft OCM proposals covering technical updates, data practice policy, regulatory updates for cannabis and hemp, local control clarifications, legislative reporting efficiency, and event organizer license restructure. There was a detailed review of a proposal to streamline the medical and adult-use supply chains, focusing on safeguarding medical supply, encouraging business participation, ensuring fairness across license types, and establishing a macrobusiness license type. The council also reviewed medical cannabis patient priorities and the Cannabis Market Monitor Dashboard. Furthermore, updates were provided on the MDH Cannabis Market Research, including an RFP for substance misuse education and prevention targeting specific populations. Updates were also provided from the Industry Health, Intergovernmental, Public Health and Safety, and Medical workgroups.

The meeting agenda included opening remarks by the Chair, Eric Taubel. Discussions covered items from the Office of Cannabis Management, specifically guidance memos, a streamlining proposal, and a market assessment update. The agenda also dedicated time to updates from various workgroups, including Industry Health, Intergovernmental, Medical, and Public Health and Safety.

The meeting focused on several key recommendations for the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Action items included recommending that OCM seek legislative approval to allow accredited labs outside of state boundaries to test LPHE products and promptly work with out-of-state labs to determine licensing feasibility in Minnesota, as well as creating a variance for LPHE products post-January 1, 2026. Further recommendations passed for OCM to revisit label requirements by removing license numbers in favor of QR Codes containing required information, unifying the cannabis supply chain, phasing out the medical combination license type, and changing the Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Wholesaler license fee from $10,000 to $1,000. Additionally, resolutions passed to support a 10% cannabis retail tax (with 2% for local governments), require medical cannabis patient consultations to be recorded in registry notes detailing product, dosage, and delivery method, and recommend OCM seek legislative approval to staff independent pharmacists to consult medical cannabis patients in 2026. Agenda items included updates on streamlining proposals and market assessments from OCM staff.

This proposal from the Office of Cannabis Management aims to streamline the medical and adult-use cannabis supply chains, fostering an equitable market that prioritizes public health and safety, consumer confidence, and market integrity. Key objectives include protecting the continuity of the medical cannabis program for over 69,000 Minnesotans and incorporating stakeholder feedback. The proposal outlines four main provisions: safeguarding the medical cannabis supply and patient protections, encouraging broader business participation in the medical market, ensuring fairness across different cannabis license types, and balancing opportunities for businesses of various sizes, including the introduction of a new macrobusiness license type. Implementation is anticipated to occur in 2027, following the 2026 legislative session.

The meeting included updates from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) on legislative matters, licensing, and the CanRenew Community Restoration Grant Program. Discussions covered proposed changes to cannabis testing facility licensing, social equity status criteria, and community reinvestment grants. Policy proposals focused on technical changes to cannabis laws, aligning with state government relationships with Tribal Governments, clarifying regulations of hemp-derived products, application requirements, and improving access and protections for medical patients. An overview of the Minnesota Legal Cannabis Industry Support Grant was presented, including CanStartup and CanNavigate programs. The council also discussed priorities for the year and types of data to review.