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August 28, 2025
Hemp registrations will close Sunday, August 31, 2025
Reminder: The window for businesses to register to sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs) to consumers under Minnesota Statutes, section 151.72, closes this weekend on Sunday, August 31, 2025.
Businesses that sell HDCPs but are not registered with the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will be in violation of Minnesota law and subject to enforcement action, including the destruction of all the business’ HDCPs and penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation.
Once the registration window closes August 31, no new registrations or changes to registration will be accepted during the month of September as OCM prepares for the conversion from a registration system to a business licensing framework for lower-potency hemp edible retailers, manufacturers, and wholesalers under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342.
Beginning October 1 and continuing through October 31, OCM will accept business license applications for three license types: lower-potency hemp edible retailers, lower-potency hemp edible manufacturers, and lower-potency hemp edible wholesalers.
During this October window, businesses which were registered prior to April 14, 2025, will be able to convert to these license types by submitting a complete application for their intended license type(s). New businesses and businesses registered after June 1, 2025, will also be able to apply for these licenses during the October license application window.
Current HDCP registrants who apply for an LPHE license will be able to continue to sell products compliant with Minnesota Statutes, section 151.72, until they receive a license (Minnesota Statutes, section 342.18 (b)). All registrants who do not apply for a license must immediately end all sales of HDCPs on October 31, 2025.
Visit this page for more information about the production transition period for lower-potency hemp edible licenses.
Preparation for Lower-Potency Hemp Edible (LPHE) Licensing
The license application period will open October 1 for all businesses intending to sell, import, and/or manufacture lower-potency hemp edible products. Each license type will have a unique application form. The forms will be posted on OCM’s website in mid-September.
OCM encourages all applicants to gather the necessary additional documentation in advance, which may be helpful for a smooth application process. Below is a list of the required additional documents, by license type.
All LPHE applicants must provide:
- A valid and current copy of the business’ proof of trade name registration issued by the Minnesota Secretary of State.
- Copy of the applicant’s valid photo ID, confirming they are 21 years of age or older.
LPHE-Retail applicants must provide the following if seeking an on-site consumption endorsement:
- Copy of the business’ liability insurance certificate which complies with the limits established in Minnesota Statutes, section 340A.409.
LPHE-Retail applicants must provide the following if seeking a delivery endorsement:
- Proof of insurance for each vehicle or general liability insurance certificate.
LPHE-Manufacturing applicants must provide the following:
- A labor peace agreement signed by a bona fide labor organization.
- A diagram of the site.
- If the applicant plans to perform extraction, concentration, or conversion of cannabinoids, then they also need to provide a certificate from an independent industrial hygienist or professional engineer.
LPHE-Wholesaler applicants must provide the following if seeking a transporter endorsement:
- Copy of a surety bond, certificate of insurance, or other security in the coverage amount of $300,000 or more for loss of or damage to cargo.
- Copy of a surety bond, certificate of insurance, or other security in the coverage amount of $1,000,000 or more for injury to one or more persons due to an accident, and if the accident resulted in property damage or injury, the coverage amount of $100,000 or more.
We encourage all potential applicants to carefully review Minnesota Statutes, sections 342.23, 342.43 – 342.65, 342.61 – 342.67 and Minnesota Administrative Rules, chapter 9810. The licensing application will reflect the statutory requirements.
Please stay tuned to OCM’s future email communications and website for additional guidance, forms, and a webinar to help you navigate the LPHE licensing process.
Retail registration and working with local governments: LPHE Licensing
Applicants seeking an LPHE license are required to work with their local government to ensure they are following ordinances set by their local government, including any relevant zoning ordinances. Additionally, LPHE retailer license holders must obtain a local retail registration (please see Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22) from their local government. This local retail registration is an additional requirement to licensure from OCM. A local government may not limit the number of lower-potency hemp edible business licenses in their jurisdiction, and are required to issue local retail registrations to these businesses as they qualify pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22.
Local governments manage the local retail registration process directly. As businesses prepare to apply for a lower-potency hemp edible retailer licenses during the October 1 – October 31 application window, they are encouraged to begin conversations with local governments now to ensure there is a process to obtain a local retail registration after OCM issues the hemp business license. Please reach out to your local government to ensure mutual understanding of what will be required to obtain a local retail registration in addition to the hemp business license from OCM. It is critical for applicants to ensure timing alignment of the issuance of the license and the local retail registration. If these are not issued at the same time, then the retailer may be forced to temporarily halt sales.
There is more information about the licensing process for lower-potency hemp edible retailer licenses, the role of local governments in this process, and local retail registration for lower-potency hemp edible retailer licenses on pages 14 and 15 of A Guide for Local Government on Adult-Use Cannabis and Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Licenses.
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