A Minnesota bill that contains provisions to provide permanent protections allowing state hemp businesses to legally market certain cannabis products—including foods and beverages infused with CBD and other cannabinoids—is heading to the governor’s desk. While adult-use marijuana legalization didn’t advance through the GOP-controlled Senate this session, despite a recent effort by the Democratic minority leader to force a vote ahead of a legislative deadline, significant hemp policy reform does appear positioned for enactment. Large-scale omnibus legislation that cleared the House and Senate contains the hemp provisions and now awaits Gov. Tim Walz’s (D) signature. What the measure would do is permanently correct a legislative drafting problem that emerged after state lawmakers sought to align Minnesota’s hemp policy with that of the federal government, which legalized the crop as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. If the bill is ultimately signed, it would make it so all hemp-derived cannabinoids including CBD could be legally sold in food items, beverages, topicals and more—as long as the products contain less than the federal limit of 0.3 percent THC.
Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 05/24/2022 13:21:00