On August 1, OCM will begin accepting applications for cannabis event organizer licenses. Learn more about the cannabis event organizer license type.
Applications for cannabis event organizer licenses will be accepted on an ongoing, rolling basis. The cannabis event organizer license authorizes the holder to plan and host temporary cannabis-related events in Minnesota. The events may be multiday, provided that the event does not exceed four consecutive days in duration. Pursuant to Minnesota law, cannabis events must be limited to ages 21 and older and may not include the sale or consumption of alcohol. Events hosted by licensed cannabis event organizers may feature the on-site sale and use of adult-use cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products by licensed cannabis and hemp businesses only. Note: Businesses participating in licensed cannabis events must have a cannabis or hemp business license from OCM.
This license type is temporary and must be obtained separately for each event. All cannabis event activities require local approval, including but not limited to any permits or licenses required by the applicable local unit of government and specific approval of on-site consumption areas. Event organizers must obtain this approval before submitting an application to the OCM and provide proof of local approval as part of the application.
Visit our General Licensing webpages for information on applying for a cannabis event organizer license
The cannabis 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 begins licensing for event organizers under Minnesota Statutes, section 342.39, on August 1, 2025. Until that time, businesses registered with OCM to sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products can host an event allowing for sale and consumption of hemp-derived cannabinoid products following existing section 151.72 regulations. Below is key information that may impact where and if you can host an event in the interim prior to licensure, and what products or activities may be allowed at such an event.
Important: OCM has resumed accepting registrations from businesses seeking to sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products to consumers. The new registration window opened on June 2 and will remain open until August 31, 2025. For more information on registering your business, visit our Information for Registered Businesses webpage.
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.
Key points:
Selling food infused with cannabis is against the law, and doing so would place a business at risk of being banned from acquiring a cannabis business license for five years.
Edible cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products are not considered food under state law (Minnesota Statutes, section 34A.01, subdivision 4). Combining any of these items with food is prohibited and would be considered an “adulteration of food.” For more information see Hemp in Food FAQs from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Consumers should also be aware that adding cannabis to food increases the risk of overconsumption. The amount of THC that an individual consumes when added to food is difficult to measure and often unknown or inaccurate. Batch testing and potency labeling requirements are defined in law and are in place to protect public health and safety. Infused foods are not typically compliant with these requirements, removing an important safety check.
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:
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.”
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.
While gifting cannabis from one individual to another is permissible, any gift must be for no remuneration. Charging for items or services (such as delivery fees or items with cannabis included as a gift) is not permissible. It is also not permissible for an individual representing a business, or for the business itself, to gift cannabis.
On April 14, 2025, Minnesota's cannabis rules (Minnesota Rules, part 9810) went info effect. The office is in the process of issuing licenses for cannabis businesses this spring/summer and will open an application period for hemp business licenses in October 2025. Until hemp licensing occurs, Minnesota Statutes, section 151.72 is the controlling statute on the regulated sale of hemp-derived edibles to adult consumers ages 21 and up. Any retailer or business wishing to sell edible cannabinoid products prior to applying for and receiving a lower-potency hemp edible business license must be registered pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 342.02, subdivision 5, and will have to convert to a lower-potency hemp edible retailer license or other license type that allows such business activities when license applications open beginning on October 1.
Section 151.72, subd. 5b also contains provisions for the sale of product designed to be consumed on-site:
See the Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Product Event Checklist (PDF) for information on hosting a hemp-derived cannabinoid product event.
The office will begin licensing for cannabis event organizers August 1, 2025. The requirements for licensure are detailed in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.40 and include the requirement that an event organizer obtain local approval prior to application with OCM.
Until the office grants licenses to host cannabis events and participating businesses receive licenses, organizers of cannabis-related events under 151.72 should consider the requirements of the municipality in which the event will occur. It is highly 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 organizer of the event has a liquor license issued by the appropriate authority under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 340A.
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.
