Hosting Cannabis Events

With the passage of Minnesota Session Laws - 2023, chapter 63, adults in Minnesota have begun to explore the many ways to use and enjoy legal cannabis. As the weather improves and events begin to appear on the calendar, the Office of Cannabis Management (the office) provides the following information to those wishing to plan public events.

The new law, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 342, includes specific sections that make possible the ability to host an event, open to the public, where cannabis and hemp-derived edible products are consumed (see Minnesota Statutes, sections 342.24, 342.28, 342.39, 342.40). While parts of the law went into effect on July 1, 2023, there will not yet be licensed cannabis events until the office’s rules are in force in spring 2025 and the office begins licensing for event organizers under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 342.39, in summer 2025. Until that time, below is key information that may impact where and if you can host an event, and what products or activities may be allowed at such an event.

Disclaimer

This information is designed to assist persons and businesses wishing to host public events celebrating adult-use cannabis and lower-potency hemp edibles. This information is not intended to provide legal guidance to any person or business, and it is recommended that anyone seeking to hold a cannabis event seek independent legal counsel.

New cannabis laws

Public consumption

Minnesota Statutes, section 342.09 regulates the locations where cannabis may and may not be used. Specifically, cannabis use is allowed only for those age 21 and over:

at a private residence
on private property, not generally accessible by the public, where allowed by the property owner
on the premises of an establishment or event licensed to permit on-site consumption

Sale of cannabis products at events

Minnesota Statutes, section 342.09, subdivision 4 prohibits the sale of cannabis flower and cannabis products “without a license issued under this chapter that authorizes the sale.” Licenses to sell cannabis at retail will only be issued once the office adopts rules governing the cannabis industry. Moreover, while Minnesota has legalized the sale of the adult use of cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products, the Legislature added new statutory provisions, Minnesota Statutes, section 152.0264, making illegal the unlawful sale of cannabis.

With respect to both consumption and sale, any cannabis event would need to comply with the new cannabis law as it stands today, the existing laws on hemp-derived cannabinoid products, and any applicable local ordinances or rules related to events—in particular those related to alcohol and lower-potency hemp products.

Existing hemp-derived cannabinoid products laws

Until adult-use rules are adopted and the office begins issuing licenses for cannabis and hemp businesses, Minnesota Statutes, section 151.72 is the controlling statute on the regulated sale of hemp-derived edibles to adult consumers ages 21 and up, and the office is the market regulator. Any retailer or business wishing to sell edible cannabinoid products must register with the office. The portal for registration will close once adult-use rules are adopted. Section 151.72 also contains provisions for the sale of product designed to be consumed on-site:

The retailer must also hold an on-sale liquor license issued under Chapter 340A.
Products, other than products that are intended to be consumed as a beverage, must be served in original packaging, but may be removed from the products' packaging by customers and consumed on-site.
Edible cannabinoid products that are intended to be consumed as a beverage may be served outside of the products' packaging if the information that is required to be contained on the label of an edible cannabinoid product is posted or otherwise displayed by the retailer.
Products must not be sold to a customer who the retailer knows or reasonably should know is intoxicated.
Products must not be permitted to be mixed with an alcoholic beverage.
Products that have been removed from packaging must not be removed from the premises.

See the Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Product Event Checklist (PDF) for information on hosting a hemp-derived cannabinoid product event.

Local considerations

After the rules are adopted and in effect, the office will begin licensing for cannabis event organizers in summer 2025. The requirements for licensure are detailed in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 342.40. Until then, there are no state licensed cannabis events and holding a cannabis-related event is likely subject to local ordinances and guidance.

Until state rules are in effect and the office is able to license cannabis events under the licensing structure, organizers of cannabis-related events should consider the requirements of the municipality in which the event will occur. It is recommended that you reach out to the municipality with jurisdiction over your event’s location to ensure that your event is in compliance with all local requirements.

If you plan to sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products for on-site consumption, you will want to ensure that the location of the event has a liquor license issued by the appropriate authority.
If the event will feature retail sale of tobacco, tobacco-related devices, and electronic delivery devices, it may require a local tobacco license, under Minnesota Statutes, section 461.12.
Depending on where you host your event, you may be required to obtain local permits, insurance, and/or security.

Frequently asked questions

Can I—as an individual—give away free samples of cannabis? What if my organization gives out samples in exchange for a donation?

Minnesota Statutes, section 342.09, allows an individual to give for no remuneration to another individual who is age 21 or older up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower, 8 grams of cannabis concentrate, or 800 mgs of cannabis or lower-potency hemp edibles.

This means cannabis may be gifted if the gift is made without a promise of payment, donation, or exchange of other goods and services. Likewise, the gift must not be associated with a commercial transaction.

However, pursuant to section 342.09, subd. 1, individuals are prohibited from giving cannabis flower or cannabis products for no remuneration (at no charge) as a sample or promotional gift if the giver is in the business of selling goods or services.
If I am a registered business selling hemp-derived edible cannabinoid products, can I give away free samples of hemp-derived edible cannabinoid products at events right now? 
Before rulemaking is complete and event licenses are issued later this year, events related to cannabis are subject to the regulations outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 151.72. Samples are not expressly prohibited in statute under section 151.72; however, on-site consumption of any hemp-derived cannabinoid product must follow requirements in section 151.72, subd. 3(f): 
- The retailer must also hold an on-sale liquor license issued under Chapter 340A.
- Products, other than products that are intended to be consumed as a beverage, must be served in original packaging, but may be removed from the products' packaging by customers and consumed on-site.
- Edible cannabinoid products that are intended to be consumed as a beverage may be served outside of the products' packaging if the information that is required to be contained on the label of an edible cannabinoid product is posted or otherwise displayed by the retailer. 
- Products must not be sold to a customer who the retailer knows or reasonably should know is intoxicated.
- Products must not be permitted to be mixed with an alcoholic beverage. 
- Products that have been removed from packaging must not be removed from the premises.
The office encourages anyone organizing an event that will serve or sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products to review this Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Product Event Checklist (PDF). 

After rulemaking is completed, the office will begin issuing licenses for cannabis event organizers in the spring-summer 2025, and any cannabis events will be subject to the regulations in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 342, including sections 342.24, 342.28, 342.39, and 342.40. Under section 342.40, subd. 7, paragraph (g), samples will be prohibited at licensed cannabis events. Samples will only be permissible for licensed lower-potency hemp edible retailers who also have an on-site endorsement and meet necessary requirements, including that the sample is consumed on-site.
Can my cannabis business give away free samples of cannabis? 

Section 342.24, subd. 2(d), allows for a cannabis businesses to give samples to its employees for quality control purposes. Section 342.23, subd. 5(d), authorizes a cannabis business to “provide[] to a retailer or cannabis wholesaler [a sample] for the purposes of quality control and to allow retailers to determine whether to offer a product for sale.” However, pursuant to section 342.27, subd. 12, a cannabis business with a license or endorsement authorizing the retail sale of cannabis flower or cannabis products shall not give away immature cannabis plants or seedlings, cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products to individual customers.
Can I create advertising or merchandise for my event?

Minnesota Statutes, section 342.64 provides limitations on advertising for cannabis businesses, hemp businesses, and other persons that includes images likely to appeal to children, including cartoons, toys, animals, or children. Similar prohibitions are found in Minnesota Statutes, section 151.72, subd. 5a. Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, defines advertisements to include "any written or oral statement, illustration, or depiction that is intended to promote sales of cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, hemp-derived consumer products, or sales at a specific cannabis business or hemp business[.]”
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