Updated September 2019 Despite polls indicating that Minnesota voters favor marijuana legalization, recreational marijuana remains illegal in Minnesota. However, the state has legalized medical marijuana, and it continues to make positive adjustments to its cannabis laws. Learn more about Minnesota marijuana laws below. Recreational Marijuana in Minnesota Is marijuana legal in Minnesota? No– the state […]
Despite polls indicating that Minnesota voters favor marijuana legalization, recreational marijuana remains illegal in Minnesota. However, the state has legalized medical marijuana, and it continues to make positive adjustments to its cannabis laws. Learn more about Minnesota marijuana laws below.
Recreational Marijuana in Minnesota
Is marijuana legal in Minnesota? No– the state of Minnesota still characterizes all recreational marijuana possession a misdemeanor or felony. It has, however, put in place decriminalization to a degree: the possession of up to 42.5 grams of marijuana may only be punished by a fine of up to $200. Additionally, there is a conditional release policy in place for first time offenders, who can have the offense removed from their record. Offenders may also be required to complete a drug education course.
Those caught in possession of more than 42.5 grams of marijuana face more serious penalties. These crimes are prosecuted as felonies, which can be punished by 5 years or more in jail, and fines of $10,000 or more.
Medical Marijuana in Minnesota
Medical marijuana was legalized in Minnesota with the passing of Senate File 2470 in May 2014. Under the law, the Minnesota Commissioner of Health is tasked with regulating the patient registry and the production and distribution of medical cannabis.
The law allows for the creation of two in-state manufacturers of medical cannabis, each of which opened four dispensaries. There are currently eight operational dispensaries in Minnesota. Home cultivation is not allowed.
A licensed healthcare practitioner must certify qualified patients before they can receive medical cannabis in the state.
Qualifying conditions currently include:
Alzheimer’s Disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Cancer
Crohn’s Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Intractable Pain
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD
Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy
Severe and Persistent Muscle Spasms, including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis
Tourette Syndrome
Any terminal illness with life expectancy under one year, where the illness or treatment leads to one of the following: Severe, intractable or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, cachexia or severe wasting.
CBD from Hemp Oil in Minnesota
Hemp-derived CBD products are legal under Federal Law in the United States; however, individual state laws are dynamic and fluid. Individual states may enact their own laws governing hemp-derived CBD.
Cultivation of Cannabis in Minnesota
Personal cultivation for recreational or medical use is illegal in Minnesota.
Minnesota did pass “The Industrial Hemp Development Act” in 2015, which categorizes hemp as an “agricultural crop” and empowers the Commission of Agriculture to set up a pilot program to grow industrial hemp at institutions of higher education. Under Minnesota’s Indusrial Hemp Pilot Program, the hemp is designated to be grown for research or agricultural purposes only.
Legal Status of Other U.S. States
Stay up to date on the latest state legislation, referendums, and public opinion polls. Our Marijuana Legalization Map allows you to browse the current status of medical and recreational marijuana laws in other U.S. states and territories.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only; it does not constitute legal advice. Although we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Therefore, any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.
New Zealand Suspends Helicopter Searches for Cannabis Crops
CANNABIS CULTURE – A spokesperson for the New Zealand police was quoted to say, “with the increased harm in many communities arising from other drugs, particularly methamphetamine, a one-size-fits-all annual aerial national cannabis operation no longer…
CANNABIS CULTURE – A spokesperson for the New Zealand police was quoted to say, “with the increased harm in many communities arising from other drugs, particularly methamphetamine, a one-size-fits-all annual aerial national cannabis operation no longer represents the most appropriate deployment of police resources.” Light propeller aircraft and helicopters have taken to the skies yearly from the 70s, giving New Zealand police a tool to surveil the ground below for cannabis-growing plots, forest fields, or…
If you’ve been studying up on the latest cannabis trends, then it’s very likely that delta 8 THC has entered your awareness. This cannabinoid is growing quickly in popularity as more and more people are finding ways to incorporate it into their routine. But still, there are many people, including diehard CBD lovers, who aren’t […]
If you’ve been studying up on the latest cannabis trends, then it’s very likely that delta 8 THC has entered your awareness.
This cannabinoid is growing quickly in popularity as more and more people are finding ways to incorporate it into their routine. But still, there are many people, including diehard CBD lovers, who aren’t exactly sure what it is, or whether or not it’s even legal.
To learn more about Delta 8, and for exclusive deals on infused flowers and other products, subscribe to The Delta 8 Weekly Newsletter
What is Delta 8 THC?
Before we start getting into delta 8, let’s take a quick look at the more familiar Delta 9 THC, the type of tetrahydrocannabinol that is most commonly associated with cannabis. THC is the cannabinoid with psychoactive properties, and thus, the most controversial of the plant compounds.
Delta 9 THC is derived from THCA – or Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid – which is found in raw plants before heat is applied and it loses its carboxyl acid group, or CO2 molecule, creating the chemical formulation (C21H30O2), and then turning into Delta 9 THC. This process is known as decarboxylation.
From this point, a small percentage of Delta 9 will oxidize to become Delta 8 THC – a delta 9 analogue that is only found in trace amounts in the finished/cured flower. This is because delta 8 is only a slightly altered version of delta 9. More specifically, Delta 8 has a double bond on the 8th carbon atom whereas Delta 9 has it on the 9th one.
Much like other cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabinol (CBN), which appear in small amounts in the cannabis plant, delta-8 THC must be isolated and extracted to produce concentrations than what could be achieved via smoking or vaping. As far as medical benefits of Delta 8 THC, there are quite a few that are of particular interest.
Numerous studies dating back to the 1970s, most of which come from Israel and were conducted by Professor Raphael Mechoulam and his associates, found Delta 8 to be associated with a number of different health benefits. As with other cannabinoids, it stimulates the endocannabinoid system can be used very diversely.
Delta-8 is already associated with a number of health benefits. The National Center for Biological Information (NCBI) describes delta-8 THC as follows: “An analogue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with antiemetic, anxiolytic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.” It goes on to say: “This agent exhibits a lower psychotropic potency than delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), the primary form of THC found in cannabis.”
Most notably is this cannabinoid’s ability to fight cancer and treat associated side-effects. This was first observed in a 1974 study that found delta-9 was able to slow tumor growth after a number of days, while delta-8 combined with CBN actually caused tumors to shrink after 20 days. Another study in 1995 on children with leukaemia, showed a high rate of efficacy for treating the cancer, while also controlling nausea and vomiting induced by other therapies.
What remains unknown, on a scientific level anyway, is exactly how the psychoactive effects of Delta 8 THC compare with those of Delta 9. According to another study from the 1970s, they found Delta 8 to have 2/3 the psychoactive effects of Delta 9, which is substantial, but still enough that a user will feel some noticeable effects.
There was recently some controversy whether Delta 8 would be added to the DEA’s list of controlled substances, with many in the industry believing it would be prohibited under the Interim Ruling regarding “synthetically-derived” cannabinoids. This turned out not to be the case.
Although a few changes were made, the final result is this: if the end Delta 8 product is derived from hemp and has less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC, then it’s likely legal. The DEA does included Delta 8 THC on its list of controlled substances which was just updated in August 2020. But since the 2018 Farm Bill expressly exempts “tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp”, this means that any form of THC derived from hemp that falls within the already established limits will remain legal.
State-by-State legality
So yes, Delta 8 THC is federally legal… however, states can override federal laws if they choose to. It happens all the time with industries like alcohol, tobacco, and gambling. So, while Delta 8 may be federally legal, that doesn’t mean it’s legal in all 50 states.
What’s also interesting about this, is that the laws surround Delta 8 are not based on whether recreational cannabis is legal or not. Quite a few states with legal cannabis, including Arizona and Colorado, have banned the manufacture, sale, and possession of Delta 8 THC.
Alabama: Legal
Alaska: Delta 8 is illegal in the state of Alaska
Arizona: Delta 8 is illegal in the state of Arizona
Arkansas: Delta 8 is illegal in the state of Arkansas
California: Legal
Colorado: Delta 8 is illegal in the state of Colorado
Connecticut: Legal
Delaware: Delta 8 is illegal in the state of Delaware
Florida: Legal
Georgia: Legal
Hawaii: Legal
Idaho: Delta 8 is illegal in the state of Idaho
Illinois: Legal
Indiana: Legal
Iowa: Delta 8 is illegal in the state of Iowa
Kansas: Legal
Kentucky: Legal
Louisiana: Legal
Maine: Legal
Maryland: Legal
Massachusetts: Legal
Michigan: Legal
Minnesota: Legal
Mississippi: Delta 8 is illegal in the state of Mississippi
Missouri: Legal
Montana: Delta 8 is illegal in the state of Montana
Nebraska: Legal
Nevada: Legal
New Hampshire: Legal
New Jersey: Legal
New Mexico: Legal
New York: Legal
North Carolina: Legal
North Dakota: Legal
Ohio: Legal
Oklahoma: Legal
Oregon: Legal
Pennsylvania: Legal
Rhode Island: Delta 8 is illegal in the state of Rhode Island
To summarize, Delta 8 is illegal in 11 states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, and Utah. In all other states, it is legal, but keep in mind that this is subject to change if state legislators determine that it should be classified as a controlled substance. Therefore, before taking delta 8, you should always check with state laws, as laws regarding cannabis are prone to sudden change.
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NJWeedman Sues New Jersey — For Legalizing Cannabis
CANNABIS CULTURE – NJWeedman (Aka Ed Forchion) has filed a lawsuit against the state of New Jersey for legalizing regulated cannabis on the grounds that new laws demand a colonialized system of selective prosecution. “What’s going on right now is the C…
CANNABIS CULTURE – NJWeedman (Aka Ed Forchion) has filed a lawsuit against the state of New Jersey for legalizing regulated cannabis on the grounds that new laws demand a colonialized system of selective prosecution. “What’s going on right now is the Columbusization of the marijuana industry. In urban communities, we have not had shortages of marijuana in decades. You get these corporations coming in here saying they founded the cannabis industry, and they are setting…
