HF2716

Purpose of the Bill

The bill allows authorized retailers to provide samples of cannabis products at cannabis event sales in Minnesota. It addresses the sale and distribution of various cannabis products during these events under specific regulations.

Main Provisions

• Authorized Participants: The bill permits cannabis microbusinesses, mezzobusinesses, retailers, and medical cannabis combination businesses with a retail endorsement, as well as lower-potency hemp edible retailers, to sell products at designated cannabis events.

• Types of Sales: Authorized retailers at these events may sell cannabis plants, adult-use cannabis flowers, adult-use market cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products.

• Sales Regulations: Sales must take place within specific retail areas at the event, as outlined in a premises diagram. Retailers can only operate within their assigned areas.

• Age Verification and Prohibitions: Retailers must verify that customers are at least 21 years old before completing any sale. The bill expressly prohibits selling to those under 21 and to individuals who appear visibly intoxicated.

• Product Display and Sampling: Retailers are permitted to display one sample of each product. Samples must be in a sample jar or case, and they can be smelled by customers before purchase. Samples have restrictions on amounts (e.g., no more than eight grams of cannabis flower, no edibles with over 100 milligrams of THC).

• Security and Storage: All products, except samples, must be stored securely in a locked container during the event to prevent public access.

• Compliance: All products must comply with existing testing, packaging, and labeling laws. Any products damaged or destroyed at the event must be recorded in the statewide monitoring system.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends regulations to permit the giveaway of cannabis samples at events, expanding on the retail activities allowed at such venues.

• It clarifies the process for verifying customer age effectively and ensures stricter compliance with age-related purchase restrictions.

Relevant Terms

• Cannabis events
• Cannabis microbusinesses
• Retail endorsement
• Adult-use cannabis products
• Lower-potency hemp edibles
• Hemp-derived consumer products
• Secure storage
• Statewide monitoring system