Protecting Minnesota's THC Industry
Minnesota is developing a craft THC industry to be proud of.
Recently, I joined 38 of my fellow attorneys general in urging Congress to clarify federal law with respect to hemp and synthetic THC. This has generated some confusion, and I’d like to clarify what the letter means.
First, I am and will remain a supporter of Minnesota’s THC edible industry that follows state law, supports businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs across Minnesota, and creates products that people enjoy. One of the primary reasons I signed onto the letter is to ensure this industry continues to thrive.
Even before Minnesota legalized cannabis, our state legalized the sale of certain edibles containing THC derived from hemp – as long as those edibles follow important consumer protection and quality-control standards. I support this law, and I am not seeking to restrict the sale of products that follow the law in any way.
Second, Minnesota’s THC edibles law contains important protections for Minnesota consumers. THC products must be clearly labeled, kept behind store counters, and they cannot be sold to kids. Additionally, companies that manufacture THC products in Minnesota must meet certain standards to ensure those products are safe to consume.
One problem that has arisen is the fact that a 2018 loophole in the Farm Bill passed by Congress ended up accidentally legalizing a wide variety of THC-based, hemp-derived intoxicants. Since the Farm Bill’s legalization of hemp-derived intoxicants happened unintentionally, Congress did not put in place any quality-control standards to protect consumers. Products manufactured as a result of this accidental legalization lack clear standards related for packaging, potency, manufacturing safety, and more.
Minnesota’s legalization of THC edibles was smart and safety-conscious, and unfortunately the loophole created by the federal government is anything but. As a result, there are highly potent THC products entering Minnesota that are being marketed to children, and I won’t stand by and let out-of-state businesses prey on young Minnesotans.
My intent in signing the letter is to urge Congress to close that loophole. This will help prevent out-of-state companies from ignoring Minnesota’s carefully crafted THC regulations and selling harmful products in our state.
Minnesota has legalized cannabis for adult use, established a well-regulated market, and dispensaries are opening up across the state. I am confident we can do the same when it comes to THC edibles.
Minnesota is developing a craft THC industry to be proud of. People across our state are enjoying THC edibles that are legally produced and sold under Minnesota law. These products are made from hemp that Minnesota farmers grow and Minnesota breweries and other small businesses sell. I want this industry to continue to grow and flourish. I also want products sold in Minnesota to be safe and follow our laws. I believe that closing the loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill will accomplish both of these goals.
wanting to protect consumers with sensible regulations around safety, marketing, and availability--while still allowing responsible stewards to serve these products--is a great call. that's what Hemp supporters have been calling for for years, and what regulators in Minnesota (and other places) have been driving at and making great progress on.
that's not what your letter is calling for. did you read it?
the letter you signed explicitly calls for "prohibition on products containing intoxicating levels of THC—of any kind and no matter how it is derived" and "asking Congress to act decisively to clarify the Farm Bill’s definition of hemp to ensure intoxicating THC products are taken off the market."
your letter would effectively unwind all of the good work Minnesota legislators have done over the last five years, recriminalize THC access for people looking to move past alcohol, and crush one of the few lifelines brewers have left.
You either want to preserve MN's hemp industry or "close the loophole" on the "wide variety of THC-based, hemp-derived intoxicants" You can't have both.