Hosting Events

Cannabis Event Organizer Licenses

OCM is currently accepting applications for cannabis event organizer licenses. Learn more about the cannabis event organizer license type and about applying for a cannabis event organizer license.

Applications for cannabis event organizer licenses are 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: As of April 1, 2026, all businesses participating in licensed cannabis events must have a cannabis or hemp business license from OCM, or any compacted Tribal Nation’s Cannabis Tribal Regulatory Authority.  

Tribal Nations: Under the compacts executed between the state of Minnesota and Tribal Nations, compacted Tribal Nations are also eligible to participate in events off Tribally regulated land at retail dispensaries licensed by that compacted nation’s Tribal Regulatory Authority or events authorized by local jurisdictions consistent with the local jurisdiction’s event requirements without needing licensure from OCM.

Local approval for cannabis event organizer licenses: 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 OCM and provide proof of local approval as part of the application using the Local Approval of Cannabis Event form.

Hosting cannabis-related events after April 1

During the product transition period—which ends on March 31, 2026—businesses registered with OCM to sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products are able to host an event allowing for sale and consumption of hemp-derived cannabinoid products following existing section 151.72 regulations. 

However, after April 1, 2026, all businesses participating in licensed cannabis events must have a cannabis or hemp business license from OCM or any compacted Tribal Nation’s Cannabis Tribal Regulatory Authority. 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 focused on 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.

Cannabis laws

Key points:

  • Minnesota Statutes, section 342.09, subdivision 4 prohibits the sale of cannabis flower and cannabinoid products “without a license issued under this chapter that authorizes the sale.” A business must have a cannabis license and a retail endorsement in order to sell cannabis flower and cannabis products.  
  • A cannabis business license holder is authorized to sell cannabis at their licensed retail site and on-site at a licensed cannabis event.
  • Only licensed cannabis businesses with a retail endorsement may sell cannabis at a licensed cannabis event.
  • Personal use is permitted anywhere consumption is allowed under section 342.09. Other factors, such as the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act and local ordinances, may affect where consumption is permitted. Please check with your local government for any concerns as well.
  • Culinary events in which menu items are infused with THC are not allowed with or without licensure.
  • All regulated products intended to be sold must be transported to and from an event by a licensed cannabis transporter. 

Cannabis and food

Selling food infused with cannabis is against the law, and doing so would place a business at risk of enforcement actions, up to and including penalties.

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 cannabis flower or cannabinoid products 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.

On-site consumption at licensed cannabis events

A cannabis event organizer license holder may allow on-site consumption at the event subject to the following requirements. Minnesota Statutes, section 342.40, subd. 8, contains provisions for—with approval of the local unit of government—the designation of an area for on-site consumption of adult-use cannabis flower, adult-use cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, hemp-derived consumer products, or any combination of those items. 

Access to cannabis events and any on-site consumption areas must also be restricted to individuals who are at least 21 years of age, and the licensed event organizer must ensure that consumption within the designated area is not visible from any public place. The on-site consumption area must be surrounded by commercial grade fencing. Per state law, consumption of alcohol or tobacco products (including nicotine vapes) is not permitted, and the event organizer must not permit smoking of cannabis products at any location where smoking is not permitted under the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act (refer to Minnesota Statutes, sections 144.411 through 144.417). 

Sampling and gifting of cannabis products at events

A licensed retailer who is approved to be a vendor at a licensed cannabis event may provide samples of cannabis plants, cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products during a cannabis event, as long as the following conditions are met:

  • A label or notice containing the required label information under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342, and Minnesota Rules, chapter 9810, must be displayed and available for consumers [Minnesota Statutes, section 342.40, subd. 7a(a)].
  • Under section 342.40, subd. 7a(b), products given away as samples must not consist of more than:
    • 1 gram of adult-use cannabis flower or adult-use cannabis concentrate
    • 10 mg of THC in an edible cannabis product (including beverages)
    • 5 mg of delta-9 THC, 100 mg of CBD, CBG, CBN, or CBC, or any combination of those cannabinoids that does not exceed the identified amounts in a lower-potency hemp edible.
  • Samples may not be provided to an individual who is visibly intoxicated.
  • Samples are required to be entered into Metrc.

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.”

While gifting cannabis from one individual to another is permissible, any gift must be for no remuneration (no payment or compensation), and the giver must not be “in the business of selling goods or services” (Minnesota Statutes, section 342.09, subdivision 1(b)(8)).

Lower-potency hemp edible related events 

Under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342, there are specific requirements necessary for a lower-potency hemp edible retailer to sell LPHE products for on-site consumption. An LPHE retailer may sell and permit on-site consumption if they have an on-site consumption endorsement. 

Additionally, LPHE retailer license holders with an on-site consumption endorsement are permitted to sell LPHE beverages for on-site consumption at an off-site event if:  

  1. The event has been authorized by the local unit of government exercising jurisdiction over the event.  
  2. The event organizer holds an on-sale license issued under chapter 340A.  
  3. The event does not exceed four days in length.  

Finally, an LPHE retailer may also participate as an authorized retailer at a licensed cannabis event hosted by a cannabis event organizer license holder, however, please note that alcohol is not permitted at cannabis events hosted by a cannabis event license holder. 

A lower-potency hemp edible business is not eligible to apply for a cannabis event organizer license due to prohibitions in state law on holding a cannabis and hemp business license at the same time (Minnesota Statutes, section 342.44). 

Local considerations

The office began 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 directly from the local government before applying for an event organizer license with OCM. 

Organizers of lower-potency hemp related events should consider the requirements of the municipality in which the event will occur. The office strongly recommends 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.