SF2371

SF2371 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Medical cannabis provisions modification

Related bill: HF1672

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to modify Minnesota's medical cannabis laws by incorporating provisions for Tribal medical cannabis programs and clarifying regulations on cannabis cultivation, distribution, and possession for both personal and registered patient use.

Main Provisions

Tribal Medical Cannabis Programs: Establishes definitions and regulatory oversight for Tribal medical cannabis programs within the state. Recognizes Tribal governments' authority to manage their own medical cannabis initiatives and stipulates requirements for Tribal patients to access medical cannabis.
Home Cultivation: Allows adults aged 21 and over to cultivate up to eight cannabis plants per household, with a maximum of four mature plants. Caregivers registered under the program can grow additional plants for patients without the need for a commercial cultivation license.
Distribution Requirements: Sets conditions for distributing medical cannabis to registered program participants and introduces procedures for verifying patients’ enrollment. Emphasizes secure labeling and tracking of distributed cannabis products to ensure patient-specific usage.
Caregiver Provisions: Outlines the role and responsibilities of registered designated caregivers for medical cannabis patients, limiting them to assisting a maximum of six patients and authorizing them to cultivate cannabis on behalf of their patients.
Protection for Participants: Enhances legal and civil protections for medical cannabis program participants, including protections from discrimination in employment, education, and housing settings. Prohibits penalizing individuals based exclusively on their status as medical cannabis users.
Provisions for Employment and Parole: Prevents employers and corrections departments from discriminating against or penalizing individuals using medical cannabis, as long as it does not contravene other state or federal laws.

Significant Changes

Integration of Tribal Programs: Extends medical cannabis program recognitions and protections to include Tribal medical cannabis programs, aligning them with state programs. Ensures that Tribal patients have similar legal standing and protections under state law.
Distribution and Compliance: Introduces stricter compliance measures for cannabis businesses, including mandatory verification processes and weekly reporting of transactions involving Tribal medical cannabis program patients.
Enhanced Anti-Discrimination Measures: Strengthens anti-discrimination measures to protect medical cannabis users from being denied opportunities due to their participation in medical cannabis programs.

Relevant Terms

Medical cannabis
Tribal medical cannabis program
Cultivation
Registered designated caregiver
Civil protections
Employment discrimination
Cannabis distribution

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
1st Engrossment PDF file
2nd Engrossment PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 09, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
March 09, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Commerce and Consumer Protection
March 19, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to	Health and Human Services
April 01, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to	Judiciary and Public Safety
April 01, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to	Judiciary and Public Safety

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New guidelines are provided for home cultivation for personal adult use, allowing for a specific number of cannabis plants."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Restrictions preventing the use of certain cultivation practices without a license may have been lessened."
      ],
      "summary": "Section 342.09 relates to the home cultivation of cannabis for personal adult use, outlining the legal parameters around the cultivation process.",
      "modified": [
        "Details around the cultivation process and caregiver responsibilities have been updated."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "342.09"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Distribution procedures for Tribal medical cannabis program patients are newly included."
      ],
      "summary": "This section deals with distribution requirements of medical cannabis products, specifying the conditions under which they can be distributed.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjustments made to the verification process and the role of cannabis business and consultants in the distribution process."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "342.51"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "summary": "Covers the responsibilities and registration process for designated caregivers of patients using medical cannabis.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes affect how registered designated caregivers can manage and cultivate cannabis for patients."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "342.52"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provision allowing pharmacists to determine proper dosages for medical cannabis."
      ],
      "summary": "References to licensed pharmacists involved in the medical cannabis distribution process are made under chapter 151.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifications on pharmacist roles in conjunction with new cannabis business regulation."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "151"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Introduces a range of protections from civil, criminal liabilities for registry program participants."
      ],
      "summary": "Section 342.57 focuses on the legal protections for participants in the registry program related to medical cannabis use.",
      "modified": [
        "Legal presumptions and conditions for disqualifying certain legal protections have been updated."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "342.57"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "summary": "Describes overall protections and legal framework surrounding the use of medical cannabis and participation in related programs.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification and extended protections on personal rights and legal actions related to medical cannabis use."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "342.60"
  }
]