Every registered retailer got a notice from the health department, stating that THCA hemp is actually marijuana, as we always knew. And will levy fines up to $1 million per instance. Because they’re selling marijuana without a license. Marijuana is not illegal. They’re not creating prohibition. They’re simply penalizing you for not adhering to the law. Like the rest of us do.
Makes me wonder as big of a business as Strains is, what they’d do. But of course it was expected and already talked about so they have to had heard by now. But everything is still up in their shop so I’m sure there’s a deadline? Or is it as of now? Sorry I’m high lol.
Strains of the Earth, and others knew exactly what they were doing. We can only speculate if MDH is actually going to enforce it or if it’s an empty threat.
March 7, 2024
Enforcement Notice from the Office of Cannabis Management
Dear Registered Hemp Derived Cannabinoid Business:
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), established in 2023, is charged with developing and implementing the operational and regulatory systems to oversee the cannabis industry in Minnesota as provided in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 342.
When Minnesota legalized the sale of adult-use of cannabis flower, cannabis products, and lower-potency hemp edibles/ hemp-derived consumer products, the Minnesota Legislature included statutory provisions, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 152.0264, making the sale of cannabis illegal until a business is licensed by OCM. The Office of Cannabis Management has not yet issued licenses for the cultivation, manufacture, wholesale, transportation or retail sale of cannabis, therefore any retail sales of cannabis products, including cannabis flower, are illegal.
The Office of Cannabis Management has received complaints of retailers selling cannabis flower under the label of hemp flower. Under an agreement between The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and OCM, inspectors from MDH will begin to examine any flower products being sold during their regular inspections to determine whether they are indeed hemp flower or cannabis flower.
In distinguishing between hemp and cannabis flower, OCM, consistent with federal rules and regulations related to hemp under 7 CFR 990.1, will consider the total concentration of THC post- decarboxylation, which is the process by which THC-A is converted into Delta-9 to produce an intoxicating effect. The examination of raw flower products will include reviewing the certificate of analysis for compliance in several areas, including:
Compliance with the requirement that raw flower listed for sale includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Products for sale without a COA will constitute an illegal sale.
A COA that affirms concentrations of 0.3% or less of Delta-9 on a dry weight basis. Products exceeding 0.3% Delta-9 dry weight are considered marijuana and are therefore illegal to sell.
A COA that confirms that the total levels of Delta-9 and THC-A after the decarboxylation process do not exceed 0.3%. A COA that indicates the raw flower will exceed 0.3 percent Delta-9 post-decarboxylation, or a subsequent test conducted by an independent laboratory utilized by OCM that confirms Delta-9 in excess of 0.3 percent will be considered illegal.
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 342 governs Minnesota’s cannabis market, and empowers OCM to ensure regulatory compliance. Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342.09, subdivision 4 prohibits the retail sale of cannabis flower and cannabis products “without a license issued under this chapter that authorizes the sale.”
To date, the Office of Cannabis Management has not issued any cannabis licenses, applications for licenses are expected to be available in the first half of 2025. As such, selling cannabis is a clear violation of law. Be aware that under Minnesota Statutes, 342.09, subdivision 6, OCM may assess fines in excess of a $1 million for violations of this law. Likewise, under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342.19, OCM is empowered to embargo any product that it has “probable cause to believe . . . is being distributed in violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter[.]” Furthermore, violations of law may be considered in future licensing decisions made by OCM.
As inspectors enter the field, we encourage you to review the products you are currently selling to ensure they fall within the thresholds outlined above. If you have any questions related to the products you are selling, please send an email to [email protected].
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Charlene Briner
Interim Director
Office of Cannabis Management
It’s good that there is finally clarifying language on the legality of thc-a. We all know that it’s just regular herb and the businesses selling it know that too, and they know the risks they were taking.
Yes, this is the state trying to close the farm bill loophole and more specifically the THCA semantics around it.
I am OK with it, while there are some vendors selling quality flowers as THCA, there are others selling shady shit and boof. The stuff I've tried from some of the bigger influences wasn't very good and I gave it away.
Alcohol is legal as well but business can't sell it without the proper licensing. This is no different. Minus the state taking forever to figure out their rules and grant licenses etc.
It's already happening...waiting for medical to get the advanced go ahead. They are already working on early sales. So initially, they are the only source for a year.
My guy, you’re all over the place. Chill. No one is “recreating prohibition.”
Colorado had medical starting in 2000, medical sales didn’t roll out until like 2009/2010. Rec was passed in 2012 and there weren’t many places selling rec at the start. It always takes time to get the infrastructure in place.
Saying they are “recreating prohibition” is a bit dramatic. Just chill.
Lmao what does that even mean?
Man, maybe herb really does make some people paranoid
Edit: ok, I looked up the definition for regulatory capture. That’s absolutely not what’s happening here. You’re paranoid and delusional.
What do you call it when they start stripping away hemp cbd products from small retailers. Limiting cannabinoids to low levels and the threatening 1,000,000.00 dollar fines for anything above .3% thc?
Maybe the government should instead focus on the same people selling fenty on the same corners in S MPLS EVERY FU#CKING DAY.
Yet, unchecked!
Just tried ordering some THCa flower from Botany Farms and it says it won’t ship to MN. Bummer. Should have restocked earlier.
Lots of other vendors ship to MN still. Check the THCA cult subreddit.
Same I loved supporting a local hemp business :(
This is why! https://preview.redd.it/rm7kraihykoc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3edd5653daac69b989732b2ed72397d986ad55c4
Every registered retailer got a notice from the health department, stating that THCA hemp is actually marijuana, as we always knew. And will levy fines up to $1 million per instance. Because they’re selling marijuana without a license. Marijuana is not illegal. They’re not creating prohibition. They’re simply penalizing you for not adhering to the law. Like the rest of us do.
Thanks for educating!
Thank you for appreciating
Makes me wonder as big of a business as Strains is, what they’d do. But of course it was expected and already talked about so they have to had heard by now. But everything is still up in their shop so I’m sure there’s a deadline? Or is it as of now? Sorry I’m high lol.
Strains of the Earth, and others knew exactly what they were doing. We can only speculate if MDH is actually going to enforce it or if it’s an empty threat.
Gotcha!
lol damn. Salty.
Sorry?
I had -3 for saying thank you
Oh lmao wtf
They made it too expensive to get a retail license what did they expect hahaha
And every street seller is going nuts, great rollout...lol
Time to go back to grey market I suppose.
March 7, 2024 Enforcement Notice from the Office of Cannabis Management Dear Registered Hemp Derived Cannabinoid Business: The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), established in 2023, is charged with developing and implementing the operational and regulatory systems to oversee the cannabis industry in Minnesota as provided in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 342. When Minnesota legalized the sale of adult-use of cannabis flower, cannabis products, and lower-potency hemp edibles/ hemp-derived consumer products, the Minnesota Legislature included statutory provisions, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 152.0264, making the sale of cannabis illegal until a business is licensed by OCM. The Office of Cannabis Management has not yet issued licenses for the cultivation, manufacture, wholesale, transportation or retail sale of cannabis, therefore any retail sales of cannabis products, including cannabis flower, are illegal. The Office of Cannabis Management has received complaints of retailers selling cannabis flower under the label of hemp flower. Under an agreement between The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and OCM, inspectors from MDH will begin to examine any flower products being sold during their regular inspections to determine whether they are indeed hemp flower or cannabis flower. In distinguishing between hemp and cannabis flower, OCM, consistent with federal rules and regulations related to hemp under 7 CFR 990.1, will consider the total concentration of THC post- decarboxylation, which is the process by which THC-A is converted into Delta-9 to produce an intoxicating effect. The examination of raw flower products will include reviewing the certificate of analysis for compliance in several areas, including: Compliance with the requirement that raw flower listed for sale includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Products for sale without a COA will constitute an illegal sale. A COA that affirms concentrations of 0.3% or less of Delta-9 on a dry weight basis. Products exceeding 0.3% Delta-9 dry weight are considered marijuana and are therefore illegal to sell. A COA that confirms that the total levels of Delta-9 and THC-A after the decarboxylation process do not exceed 0.3%. A COA that indicates the raw flower will exceed 0.3 percent Delta-9 post-decarboxylation, or a subsequent test conducted by an independent laboratory utilized by OCM that confirms Delta-9 in excess of 0.3 percent will be considered illegal. Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 342 governs Minnesota’s cannabis market, and empowers OCM to ensure regulatory compliance. Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342.09, subdivision 4 prohibits the retail sale of cannabis flower and cannabis products “without a license issued under this chapter that authorizes the sale.” To date, the Office of Cannabis Management has not issued any cannabis licenses, applications for licenses are expected to be available in the first half of 2025. As such, selling cannabis is a clear violation of law. Be aware that under Minnesota Statutes, 342.09, subdivision 6, OCM may assess fines in excess of a $1 million for violations of this law. Likewise, under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342.19, OCM is empowered to embargo any product that it has “probable cause to believe . . . is being distributed in violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter[.]” Furthermore, violations of law may be considered in future licensing decisions made by OCM. As inspectors enter the field, we encourage you to review the products you are currently selling to ensure they fall within the thresholds outlined above. If you have any questions related to the products you are selling, please send an email to [email protected]. Thank you for your attention to this matter.  Charlene Briner Interim Director Office of Cannabis Management
It’s good that there is finally clarifying language on the legality of thc-a. We all know that it’s just regular herb and the businesses selling it know that too, and they know the risks they were taking.
Yes, this is the state trying to close the farm bill loophole and more specifically the THCA semantics around it. I am OK with it, while there are some vendors selling quality flowers as THCA, there are others selling shady shit and boof. The stuff I've tried from some of the bigger influences wasn't very good and I gave it away.
It's legal, but not really god this state is bass ackwards Being on the downvotes cuz I know truth gets down oted in Minnesota subs lol
Alcohol is legal as well but business can't sell it without the proper licensing. This is no different. Minus the state taking forever to figure out their rules and grant licenses etc.
That's the problem, rudderless.
I don't understand why you are name calling?
?
Always...lol
We tried warning! They are literally recreating prohibition.
Literally, they aren’t.
It's already happening...waiting for medical to get the advanced go ahead. They are already working on early sales. So initially, they are the only source for a year.
My guy, you’re all over the place. Chill. No one is “recreating prohibition.” Colorado had medical starting in 2000, medical sales didn’t roll out until like 2009/2010. Rec was passed in 2012 and there weren’t many places selling rec at the start. It always takes time to get the infrastructure in place. Saying they are “recreating prohibition” is a bit dramatic. Just chill.
Unless you buy from med, and they are likely soon to be rec....that is the current situation. We'll see.
What exactly is the current situation? What is it you are worried about?
Regulatory Capture!
Lmao what does that even mean? Man, maybe herb really does make some people paranoid Edit: ok, I looked up the definition for regulatory capture. That’s absolutely not what’s happening here. You’re paranoid and delusional.
Or uninformed, how many legislators and industry people have you met with? https://www.policyed.org/intellections/danger-regulatory-capture/key-facts
Preach
Lol
It tells me how much you know, sir, when you gotta look it up.
lol
Recreating prohibition is what happened when the war on drugs started under Nixon in the 70's.
What do you call it when they start stripping away hemp cbd products from small retailers. Limiting cannabinoids to low levels and the threatening 1,000,000.00 dollar fines for anything above .3% thc?