Minnesota lawmakers recently voted to make recreational cannabis sales legal in the state, as well as establishing an Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to license and oversee cannabis and hemp businesses. What’s less clear is when recreational sales might begin.

Many elements of the law, including adult possession, use, and home cultivation of marijuana, are expected to take effect on July 1. However, the bill does not remove the existing criminal penalties for these provisions until Aug. 1. Also, according to a state website, legal retail sales may not begin until early 2025, while changes to the medical cannabis program are set to take effect on March 1, 2025, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

While the date sales being is still unknown, the following looks at the details of the Minnesota recreational cannabis law.

What Is Legal Under Minnesota Recreational Cannabis Law?

The new law authorizes the production and retail sale of various cannabis products, including marijuana flower, concentrates, topicals, and edibles such as candy and beverages. It also allows for the sale of immature cannabis plants and seeds, as well as hemp-derived THC products.

The possession limits for adults 21 and older include up to two ounces of cannabis flower, up to eight grams of cannabis concentrates, and edible cannabis products containing up to a total of 800 milligrams of THC. Individuals are also permitted to possess up to two pounds of marijuana in their homes.

Out-of-state individuals with a valid ID showing they are 21 or older would be allowed to purchase cannabis products at licensed retailers. However, it’s important to note that transporting marijuana across state lines remains a federal crime, and individuals may be subject to prosecution in neighboring states if caught.

Restrictions on Where You Can Consume Cannabis

The law places restrictions on where cannabis consumption is permitted. Adults over 21 can use marijuana in private residences, private properties not accessible to the public with the owner’s permission, or on the premises of licensed businesses or events designated for on-site consumption. Smoking or vaporizing cannabis in multifamily housing buildings would generally be prohibited, except for registered medical cannabis patients.

Explicitly prohibited areas for cannabis consumption include motor vehicles, school properties, and state correctional facilities. Child day care programs that allow employees to consume cannabis products on the premises outside of operating hours must disclose this information to parents or guardians.

Minnesota Recreational Cannabis Home Cultivation

Home cultivation of cannabis will be legal starting Aug. 1 for people 21 and older. They will be allowed to grow up to eight cannabis plants per residence, with no more than four plants being mature and flowering at the same time. The plants must be kept in an enclosed, locked space that is not visible to the public. The use of chemical solvents to extract cannabinoids at home without a license will be illegal.

Seeds and immature plants for home growing can be purchased from licensed retailers. However, the new law does not specifically address the sale or gifting of seeds. There is an existing gray area in federal law regarding the sale and shipping of cannabis seeds across state lines.

The law allocates funds for drug recognition training for law enforcement to identify impaired drivers and requires a study on impaired driving involving cannabis. Driving under the influence of cannabis remains a crime, and the law imposes penalties for selling marijuana without a license and exceeding possession or home-growing limits. Public safety reports related to marijuana, including impacts on public health, traffic accidents, and the illicit market, will be compiled by the state.

The regulation of legal marijuana markets will be managed by cities, counties, and the Office of Cannabis Management. The OCM will be led by a director appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate.