Welcome to Minnesota, where the lakes are clear, the accents are charming, and the government regulations are about as clear as hemp-infused Jell-O. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has graced us with their latest memo, attempting to guide hemp businesses through the new licensing process. Spoiler alert: it does no such thing.
In true Minnesota Nice fashion, the memo says a lot without actually saying anything, leaving hemp entrepreneurs across the state scratching their heads and muttering, “Oh, for cute.”
The Great Edible Mystery
The OCM has declared that only “edibles, including beverages,” will be allowed under the new lower-potency hemp license. But what, pray tell, counts as an edible? Is a drink enhancer an edible? What about a 750ml bottle of infused water? Does it have to be bite-sized, or can it just be anything you shove in your mouth?
Instead of defining the term, the OCM has decided to leave us with a passive-aggressive “Well, you figure it out.” It’s like being invited to a potluck and told to “bring something edible.” Sure, Karen, I’ll bring my famous mystery casserole. Hope you like surprises.
Hemp Concentrates: The Undefined Elephant in the Room
The memo references “hemp concentrate,” but does it explain what that means? Of course not! In the world of OCM logic, everyone should just magically know.
Here’s the reality: all concentrates are above 0.3% THC during production. They’re remediated to bring final products into compliance with federal regulations. But does the OCM acknowledge this industry-standard process? Nope. Instead, it’s like they’re saying, “Oh, you do that? Huh, we didn’t think about that. Maybe just…don’t?”
Come on, OCM. If concentrates are the building blocks of compliant products, maybe—just maybe—you should tell us how they fit into the new rules. Or is that too much work?
Tinctures: The Product That Built Hemp, Now in Regulatory Limbo
Tinctures, the backbone of the hemp industry, don’t make the cut under the new lower-potency hemp license. Why? No one knows. Maybe the OCM just forgot about them, or maybe they think tinctures are too “cool” to be included.
Excluding tinctures—a product that’s safe, effective, and widely popular—is like saying, “Hey, thanks for building this industry from the ground up, but we’re going to pretend you don’t exist now.” Classic passive-aggressive Minnesota.
Topicals: Are They In or Out? Who Knows!
The memo mentions that topicals are currently allowed, but it’s eerily silent about their status under the new licensing structure. Will they require a cannabis license? Will they stay under the hemp license? It’s a mystery worthy of Unsolved Mysteries.
The OCM’s approach seems to be: “If we don’t say anything, maybe they’ll stop asking.” Sorry, OCM, but Minnesotans are nothing if not persistent. We’ll keep asking, just like we keep reminding our neighbors to return that lawnmower they borrowed three years ago.
The Timeline That’s as Friendly as Winter in January
Here’s a fun twist: the registration portal will close immediately when the new rules are adopted. No grace period, no adjustment time—just a big ol’ “Good luck with that!”
It’s like the OCM is shutting the door in your face but still giving you a polite smile through the window. “Oh, you weren’t ready? Gosh, that’s too bad. You’ll just have to wait for the next licensing round—whenever that might be. Have a nice day!”
What the OCM Needs to Do (Hint: Communicate Like Adults)
If the OCM truly wants to support Minnesota’s hemp industry, here’s what they need to do:
1. Define Key Terms
• Spell out exactly what counts as an “edible.” Are drink enhancers included? What about large beverage formats? Don’t leave us guessing, unless you want a wave of non-compliance.
• Define “hemp concentrate” and clarify whether remediation will remain permissible. Hint: It’s the only way to make concentrates compliant, so you might want to think this one through.
2. Respect the Tincture
• Include tinctures under the lower-potency hemp license. They built this industry, and leaving them out is a slap in the face to businesses and consumers alike.
3. Clarify the Status of Topicals
• Are they in or out? Businesses deserve to know, unless your goal is to create mass confusion. (In which case—mission accomplished!)
4. Provide a Grace Period
• Give businesses time to adjust to the new rules. Shutting the portal immediately is about as friendly as canceling Christmas dinner because someone brought lutefisk.
Final Thoughts: Minnesota Nice, OCM Edition
The OCM’s memo is the bureaucratic equivalent of a passive-aggressive post-it note. It looks helpful at first glance, but underneath it all is just a vague, confusing message that leaves you more frustrated than when you started.
Here in Minnesota, we value clear communication and fairness (okay, and hotdish). It’s time for the OCM to step up and provide the clarity that hemp businesses need to thrive. Until then, we’ll be here, drinking our hemp-infused mystery beverages and waiting for answers.
Come on, OCM—don’t make us bring out the real Minnesota passive-aggressive. You don’t want to see us when we’re actually upset.
