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Oct. 19, 2026
Check out the latest edition of Cannabis Insider
In this issue:
News and Updates
Government Relations Report
Resources and Reminders
News and Updates
Patients with autism report reduced anxiety and depression in one of the largest studies ever involving medical cannabis
Patients with autism enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program report a noticeable improvement in their co-occurring conditions within four months of receiving medical cannabis, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). The study is just one of numerous reports published by the office that highlights the beneficial impacts of medical cannabis on symptoms experienced by patients enrolled in the program and underscores the office’s commitment to public health.
“This study demonstrates the value of listening to patients and using real-world data to better understand how medical cannabis may improve their quality of life,” said OCM Executive Director Eric Taubel. “The findings are encouraging, particularly for patients experiencing anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties and other conditions that can accompany autism. As Minnesota’s cannabis market continues to evolve, research like this helps us build a stronger evidence base and make informed decisions that put patients and public health first.”
The study—one of the largest on record involving autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and medical cannabis patients—analyzed data from Aug. 1, 2018, through July 31, 2024, from 1,811 adult and pediatric patients qualified for ASD. The new report draws on data from patient enrollment, medical cannabis purchases, symptom and side-effect ratings at the time of each purchase, and patient survey results to describe the experiences of patients who are certified as having ASD by their health care practitioner.
Learn more by reading the full press release and study.
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OCM Resource and Hiring Fair on Oct. 22
Building an equitable cannabis industry isn't only about who owns a business. It's also about who gets the opportunity to work, learn, build skills and develop a career in Minnesota's emerging cannabis economy.
That's why the Division of Community and Economic Development is hosting the Office of Cannabis Management’s first Resource and Hiring Fair on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 2–6 p.m. at the Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) in Minneapolis.
The event will bring together licensed cannabis businesses, ancillary service providers, workforce partners and job seekers from social equity eligible communities.
Job seekers will have an opportunity to receive:
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Tips for interviewing
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Resume tips
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Free headshots
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Meetings with cannabis businesses looking to hire
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Community resources
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Cannabis Expungement Board
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The Cannabis Expungement Board, established in 2023, is responsible for reviewing eligible cannabis-related criminal records. The Board conducts a case-by-case review to determine whether cases are eligible and then determines if dismissal, expungement, resentencing, or no action is appropriate. The CEB is composed of five voting members designated by statute who are supported by an executive director and staff who are working to ensure individuals affected by past cannabis laws have a clear pathway forward.
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Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
- DEED offers workforce development programs, career planning tools and employer partnerships that help job seekers build skills, access training and connect with meaningful employment across Minnesota’s growing industries, including cannabis.
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Saint Anthony Village Municipal Retail Operations (The Village Muni)
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Saint Anthony Village owns and operates two municipal retail liquor stores, Marketplace and Silver Lake Village, offering wine, spirits, beer and now, THC products. With 100% of profits reinvested into the community, the Village Muni has contributed nearly $3.5 million over the past decade. They were also recently licensed as a municipal cannabis retailer. Their mission is to responsibly prevent sales of regulated consumables to minors and intoxicated individuals while generating revenue for Saint Anthony Village.
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Pot Mamas Boutique Dispensaries
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Pot Mamas Boutique Dispensaries is a licensed retailer with three locations in Edina, Mendota Heights, and Woodbury. Pot Mama’s focuses on creating a dispensary that feels warm, welcoming, and easy to explore. A place where questions are encouraged, curiosity is welcomed, and the experience feels calm rather than overwhelming. Pot Mamas initially received their license in December 2025.
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Dank Session Delivery
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Dank Session Delivery is a veteran-owned licensed delivery service headquartered in Bloomington. Their mission is to stop the stigmatization of cannabis, offer convenient access and genuinely friendly service. They prioritize reliability and top-notch customer service. They continue to expand their business and partner with new dispensaries.
Whether you're looking for your first cannabis job, bringing skills from another industry or simply trying to understand where you might fit, come explore the possibilities.
Join us for the last stop on our listening tour in Minneapolis
You are invited to the last stop of the 2026 OCM Connecting with Community Listening Tour! The listening tour is designed to provide the general public with an overview of the OCM’s work and explain how the office regulates the cannabis industry in Minnesota. Most importantly, the event will allow our office to answer questions and gain valuable insights from local communities across the state.
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Date: Wednesday, Oct. 28
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Time: 6 – 7:15 p.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early, if possible.
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Location: Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401
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Register to attend.
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An overview of the role of OCM
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A regulatory and cannabis market update
- A fireside chat with cannabis operators and the executive director
Who should attend: Everyone! The listening tour is a great opportunity to learn more about the current state of the cannabis market or to ask any cannabis-related questions you have been curious about.
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Cannabis event organizer license application window closure notice
OCM is announcing important changes to the event organizer licensing process due to recent legislative updates. Implementation work is underway to move from a temporary per-event license to an annual, renewable cannabis event organizer license. The new annual cannabis license type will authorize the business to then host temporary cannabis events throughout the year.
In preparation for the change, OCM will close the current event organizer licensing application on Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. CT.
If you intend to hold a cannabis event during the remaining months of 2026, you must submit your application no later than Nov. 16. The office continues to recommend organizers submit their application at least 45 days in advance of the planned event date to ensure adequate time for application review and approval. Applications may not be submitted after the window closes on this date.
The new event organizer license and event site registration applications will open in January 2027. Allowing for the 45 days we recommend for a successful submission, we anticipate event organizers could host events beginning in late February. Updated guidance reflecting the new event organizer license structure will be posted before January to help with 2027 event planning. For questions or assistance with the event organizer licensing process, please email cannabis.info@state.mn.us.
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Streamlining and high-medical-need products
The Minnesota Legislature passed a law in 2026 that streamlines the medical and adult-use cannabis supply chains, to ensure continued access to medical cannabis for patients. Leading up to the law’s effective date of Jan. 1, 2027, OCM will continue to communicate frequently with license holders and others about the transition.
High-medical-need products
As part of the new law, OCM must publish a list of all high-medical-need (HMN) products. Beginning Jan. 1, businesses with a medical cannabis retail endorsement must carry all products identified by the office as HMN, and businesses with a medical cannabis manufacturing endorsement must manufacture HMN products. This will help to ensure these products are available to the patients who need them.
The HMN product list was developed based on engagement with medical cannabis patients and their caregivers, legal guardians, and health care practitioners as well as cannabis business license holders that currently or may in the future hold medical cannabis endorsements.
The office will continually evaluate patient access and product availability to ensure that products identified as HMN are readily available consistent with law and that license holders with medical cannabis endorsements are meeting their statutory obligations.
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Government Relations Report
Federal hemp changes set to go into effect Dec. 11
In November 2025, President Trump signed a federal spending bill that changed the definition of hemp under Title 7, Section 1639o. This change to federal law—which effectively bans hemp products containing more than 0.4 milligrams (mg) of THC per package—will now take effect on Dec. 11, unless other federal action occurs.
As the situation remains uncertain and fluid, the office has published information and resources for businesses as they prepare for the pending changes.
As a reminder, this federal definition change does not change how Minnesota law defines lower-potency hemp edible (LPHE) products and LPHE retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers or the legality of those products in the state. However, under the new federal definition, many products compliant under Minnesota law (e.g., packages containing more than 0.4 mg of THC) will become federally noncompliant, meaning there may be significant impact on current business operations. OCM strongly recommends seeking legal counsel to navigate your specific business needs.
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Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) cannabis rescheduling proceedings temporarily stayed
DEA's overall cannabis rescheduling proceeding has been temporarily stayed while a judge considers a motion to add a newly released Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to the record and allow supplemental briefing. Hearings concluded in July and post-hearing briefing closed in August.
The judge has paused the case and ordered the government to respond by Oct. 13; other interested parties may also respond by that date.
The stay does not change the legal status of cannabis or the separate April 2026 final rule placing FDA-approved cannabis products and cannabis subject to a state medical cannabis license into Schedule III. For businesses and regulators following the broader rescheduling process, the immediate takeaway is additional timing uncertainty; the order does not address the merits.
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2027 Legislative Session preparation
Jan. 17 may seem like a long way off, but many of you have this date circled on your calendars — the date the Minnesota State Legislature gavels in for legislative session! The Office of the Revisor of Statutes is busy incorporating the changes made to chapter 342 in the 2026 session into their website, but if you need to see the changes made last session, you can find them at Laws of Minnesota 2026, chapter 123.
As you meet with colleagues and legislators and identify needed changes to chapter 342, please don’t hesitate to reach out to OCM with ideas and draft bill language for our technical review and comments in advance of January 2027. If you would like OCM to review draft proposals and offer technical assistance, please contact us.
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Resources and Reminders
Subscribe to our mailing lists
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