Office of Cannabis Management launches first phase of engagement on rulemaking

St. Paul, MN – The Office of Can­nabis of Management (OCM) an­nounced [October 30, 2023] that it has launched the first phase of engagement on rulemaking as the agency begins its work to draft rules for the new cannabis industry in Minnesota.

As part of this engagement, a survey on the OCM website requests input on cannabis cultivation, pro­cessing, and manufacturing. The survey can be found at www.cannabis.mn.gov.

As the rulemaking process continues, OCM will gather input on a variety of other topics, including medical cannabis and hemp-de­rived cannabinoid products, to ensure the rulemaking process is accessible to the widest possible range of community members, advocates, and partners who want to help shape how the rules are drafted.

“There is a high level of interest in the new cannabis law, and significant expertise that exists among Minnesotans, and we want to tap into as much of that knowledge as possible from the very start,” said Charlene Briner, interim di­rector of the Office of Cannabis Management. “The first topics of cannabis cultivation, processing, and manufacturing reflect how the Office of Cannabis Management wants to thoughtfully launch a safe, new legal market and help ensure the state has an adequate supply to meet demand once the market opens.”

In addition to the initial survey, OCM will offer more opportunities to be involved in rulemak­ing through in-person and vir­tual meetings. Those will be announced in the coming months. There will also be a formal public comment period once draft rules are proposed.

“The information gathered from these surveys, along with extensive conversations with stakeholders, advocates, and others, will inform how the rules are drafted,” Briner said. “Our goal is to write rules that are clear, informed by the experience of current regula­tion of medical and edible canna­binoid products, and consistent with industry standards and best practices to ensure safe cannabis products for consumers.”

Minnesota is the 23rd state in the nation to legalize adult-use can­nabis. Minnesota’s adult-use can­nabis bill was signed into law in May.