Today, Nothing But Hemp had a pivotal meeting with the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to discuss several pressing issues facing the hemp industry. The conversation centered around tinctures, capsules, hemp-derived CBD flower, importation challenges, and the wholesale market.
It was a surprising yet refreshing discussion. Contrary to what some might think, the OCM appears to be standing behind the hemp industry and is actively working on legislative fixes. What I gathered from this meeting is that they genuinely want to engage with stakeholders in the industry to understand our struggles and find ways to patch the glaring holes in HF100.
This realization made something very clear to me: the OCM is not the villain in this story. No, the real problem lies with the people who put HF100 together in the first place. They are either completely clueless about the industry, or worse, they were bought out by corporate interests that have no intention of letting small businesses thrive.
The Issues with HF100: A Disaster for Small Businesses
I’ve discussed HF100’s problems in the past, but it’s worth reiterating just how badly it was put together.
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The Social Equity Promise Failed – When HF100 was pitched, it was supposed to help marginalized communities enter the legal cannabis market. Instead, the social equity provisions have completely flopped. The people who were disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition aren’t getting a fair shake. Instead, we’re watching big-money interests swoop in and take control.
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Small Business Focus Was Abandoned – We were promised a system that would allow small cannabis businesses to compete fairly. What we got was the exact opposite. High barriers to entry, ridiculous compliance costs, and favor being given to well-funded operators make it nearly impossible for local businesses to survive.
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Hemp Businesses Were Pushed Aside – Hemp businesses that were legally operating before HF100 are now facing uncertainty and unnecessary restrictions. The very people who pioneered this space are being told they have to wait, adjust, and possibly shut down, all while larger companies are being given every advantage.
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Big Canna’s Hidden Hand – I strongly believe that HF100 was crafted with the heavy influence of Big Cannabis. When you look at who benefits from this bill, it becomes crystal clear. Large corporate cannabis interests, along with their consultants and lobbyists, have structured this legislation in a way that edges out the people who actually care about the plant.
The Truth About Big Cannabis, Big Alcohol, and the "THC Beverage Bros"—a term the rest of the industry uses to describe hemp companies that only focus on beverages and care about nothing else in the category, often backed by or coming from the alcohol industry.
They aren’t here because they love cannabis. They’re here because they see dollar signs. These companies are backed by Big Alcohol and Big Cannabis, and they have no interest in the history, culture, or the people who have fought for cannabis legalization for decades. They’re here to crush the competition and monopolize the industry.
It makes me sick to my stomach. Cannabis is supposed to be about healing, about sharing the gifts of nature with those who need it. Instead, it’s becoming just another commodity to be controlled by the highest bidder.
HF100: A Bill Designed to Eliminate Competition
I’ve been vocal about the issues with HF100 because it was clearly designed to eliminate competition. The people behind this bill weren’t looking out for small businesses or consumers—they were prioritizing corporate interests. We’ve been in this space since 2018, yet now we’re being pushed aside so that only big companies can dominate the market.
The very people who fought for legal cannabis—the small business owners, legacy operators, and passionate advocates—are being shut out, while wealthy investors with no real passion for the plant are receiving red carpet treatment.
A Path Forward: Can We Fix This?
Despite my frustration, there is some hope. The OCM seems to want to hear from industry stakeholders. If they truly intend to correct these issues legislatively, then we need to stay engaged and keep pushing for fair policies.
But make no mistake—this isn’t going to be easy. The people who profit from monopolizing the cannabis industry aren’t going to step aside without a fight.
We need:
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Clear, fair regulations that allow hemp and cannabis businesses to operate under the same rules.
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Protections for small businesses to ensure that corporate giants don’t drown out local players.
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A real social equity program that benefits those who were harmed by prohibition—not just a talking point to make politicians look good.
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Transparency in policy-making so we can see exactly who is influencing our laws.
The Heart of the Industry: Small Businesses and the Plant
At the end of the day, cannabis isn’t just an industry—it’s a movement. The people who truly love this plant don’t see it as just a cash grab. We see it as medicine, as community, as culture. We see it as something that can change lives for the better.
Big Canna and Big Alcohol don’t share that vision. They see cannabis as nothing more than a revenue stream. They’ll say all the right things, but when it comes down to it, their actions speak volumes. They want control. They want monopoly. They want to squeeze out everyone else.
But we’re not going anywhere.
The people who actually care about this plant—small farmers, legacy operators, craft brands, independent retailers—we’re going to fight for our place in this industry. Because cannabis isn’t just about making money. It’s about making a difference.
What’s Next?
The fight for a fair cannabis industry in Minnesota is far from over. But today’s meeting with the OCM gives me a glimmer of hope. If they are serious about working with industry stakeholders to fix the flaws in HF100, then maybe—just maybe—there’s a way to turn this mess around.
But one thing is for sure: We can’t afford to be complacent. We need to stay vocal, stay involved, and hold those in power accountable. This industry should be for the people who love the plant—not just for those who see it as another way to make a quick buck.
Stay tuned, because this fight is just beginning.
Mother Nature belongs to everyone. Let’s make sure it stays that way.
