Petitions Process

Annual Petition Process 

Starting in July 2026, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will open its annual petition process for approving new cannabinoid products, product categories, and delivery methods. Per Minnesota Rules, part 9810.1003, subp. 2, petitions will be accepted during the month of July, specifically between the first and last business day of that month each year. This process is governed by Minnesota Rules, chapter 9810, and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342.

Submission Logistics and Guidance 

To prepare for the submission window, interested parties should review the Petition Process: Submission Guidance and Review Criteria. This guidance provides the necessary framework for the evidence and documentation required to support a petition request.  Rubrics for each petition type will be added to the webpage by June 5.

The petition window will be open from July 1 to July 31, 2026. When the window opens, OCM will post a formal petition form on its website. To submit a request, petitioners must:  

  • Complete the official submission form in its entirety 
  • Attach all supporting research, data, or evidence as specified in the guidance 
  • Submit the packet electronically through OCM’s online submission portal before 4 p.m. on July 31, 2026. 

Please note that incomplete forms or petitions submitted outside of the July window will not be considered for our current cycle. Petitioners should ensure their petition is complete before submitting. Petitioners should utilize the criteria checklists to ensure their submission is complete with all required information. 

Submitting a Petition to OCM 

Any person may petition the OCM, as outlined in Minnesota Rules, part 9810.1003, subp. 1, to request the following: 

⁠New medical cannabinoid product 

A medical cannabinoid product is defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 52(a). This subdivision was amended in the 2026 legislative session, refer to Minnesota Session Law, chapter 123, section 5. Generally, a medical cannabinoid product is a cannabis product provided to a patient enrolled in the medical registry program, a registered visiting patient, or their authorized caregiver, parent, legal guardian, or spouse by a cannabis business with a medical cannabis retail endorsement to treat or alleviate the symptoms of a qualifying medical condition.  

Currently approved medical cannabinoid products 

Products approved specifically for medical cannabis patients include the following products outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 52(b) and Minnesota Rules, part 9810.2100, subp. 1: 

  • Liquid, including but not limited to oil 
  • Pill 
  • Liquid or oil for use with a vaporized delivery method 
  • Water-soluble cannabinoid multiarticulate, including granules, powder, and sprinkles 
  • Orally dissolvable product, including lozenges, gum, mints, buccal tablets, and sublingual tablets 
  • Edible products in the form of gummies and chews 
  • Topical formulation 
  • Any allowable form or delivery method approved by OCM 
  • All cannabis products approved in Minnesota Rules, part 9810.2100, subp. 1 

⁠Use of a cannabinoid in lower-potency hemp edibles 

“Cannabinoid” is defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 10, as any of the chemical constituents of hemp plants or cannabis plants that are naturally occurring, biologically active, and act on the cannabinoid receptors of the brain. Cannabinoid includes but is not limited to tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. 

“Lower-potency hemp edibles” are defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 50, as any product that: 

  • Is intended to be eaten or consumed as a beverage by humans. 
  • Contains hemp concentrate or an artificially derived cannabinoid, in combination with food ingredients. 
  • Is not a drug. 
  • Does not contain a cannabinoid derived from cannabis plants or cannabis flower. 
  • Is a type of product approved for sale by the office or is substantially similar to a product approved by the office, including but not limited to products that resemble nonalcoholic beverages, candy, and baked goods. 
  • Meets either of the requirements in paragraph Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 50(b). 

Currently approved cannabinoids for use in lower-potency hemp edibles 

Cannabinoids approved specifically for use in lower-potency hemp edibles include the following outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 50(b)(1)(i) and Minnesota Rules, part 9810.2100, subp. 4A: 

  • Cannabichromene (CBC)  
  • Cannabidiol (CBD)  
  • Cannabigerol (CBG)  
  • Cannabinol (CBN) 
  • Hemp-derived delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (hemp-derived Δ9-THC) 

⁠New product category 

Product category is defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.06, subd. 1(a) as a type of product that may be sold in different sizes, distinct packaging, or at various prices but is still created using the same manufacturing or agricultural processes. A new or additional stock-keeping unit (SKU) or universal product code (UPC) shall not prevent a product from being considered the same type as another unit. 

Currently approved product categories 

Product categories, including products manufactured by changing the physical shape or texture of these products, that are currently approved for retail sale in medical and adult-use markets include:  

Product categories, including products manufactured by changing the physical shape or texture of these products, that are currently approved for retail sale in adult-use and lower-potency hemp edible markets include: 

⁠Declare a cannabinoid nonintoxicating 

Nonintoxicating cannabinoid is defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 56, as a cannabinoid that when introduced into the human body does not impair the central nervous system and does not impair the human audio, visual, or mental processes. Nonintoxicating cannabinoid includes but is not limited to cannabidiol and cannabigerol but does not include any artificially derived cannabinoid. 

Current cannabinoids declared nonintoxicating 

Cannabinoids that have been declared nonintoxicating include the following outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 56 and Minnesota Rules, part 9810.2100, subp. 4B:   

  • Cannabichromene (CBC) 
  • Cannabidiol (CBD) 
  • Cannabigerol (CBG) 
  • Cannabinol (CBN) 

⁠Use of a new medical delivery method for a cannabinoid product 

A medical delivery method typically refers to the specific method by which medical cannabis is administered and enters the body. The chosen method is a key factor in determining the onset (speed of effects), intensity (strength of effects), and duration (how long effects lasts) of medical cannabis use. 

Currently approved medical delivery methods 

Delivery methods that have been approved for administering medical cannabis include the following outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 52(b), Minnesota Statutes, section 342.52, subd. 7a, and Minnesota Rules, part 9810.2100, subp. 1A: 

  • Inhalation via vaporization 
  • Inhalation via combustion 
  • Oral administration via ingestion 
  • Oral administration via sublingual absorption 
  • Oral administration via buccal absorption 
  • Topical or transdermal application 

⁠Manufacture and use of an artificially derived cannabinoid 

An artificially derived cannabinoid is defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 6, as a cannabinoid extracted from a cannabis plant, cannabis flower, hemp plant, or hemp plant parts with a chemical makeup that is changed after extraction to create a different cannabinoid or other chemical compound by applying a catalyst other than heat or light. Artificially derived cannabinoid includes, but is not limited to, any tetrahydrocannabinol created from cannabidiol, but does not include cannabis concentrate, cannabis products, hemp concentrate, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products. 

Currently approved artificially derived cannabinoids 

Artificially derived cannabinoids that have been approved for manufacture and use include the following outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subd. 6, and Minnesota Rules, part 9810.2100, subp. 4B:   

  • Hemp-derived delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (hemp-derived Δ9-THC) for use in lower potency hemp edibles only. 

Products that will not be approved 

In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 342.06, subd. 1(d), cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products will not be approved if they: 

  • Look like or are made to resemble lollipops or ice cream. 
  • Feature images or traits of real or fictional people, animals, or fruits. 
  • Imitate products that are mainly eaten by or marketed to children. 
  • Closely resemble meat, poultry (Minnesota Statutes, section 31A.02, subd. 10) or dairy products (Minnesota Statutes, section 32D.01, subd. 7). 
  • Contain synthetic cannabinoids. 
  • Are made by adding cannabinoids, including artificially derived cannabinoids, to regular foods like candy or snacks that didn’t originally contain them. 
  • For edible products, include any ingredient [other than cannabinoid(s)] that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved for use in food. 

Petition decision timeline 

By Dec. 1 of the year in which OCM receives the petition, OCM will notify the petitioner of the decision regarding the petition and publish the decision on the OCM website. 

This website will be updated with more information closer to the submission window, including the petition submission link and detailed petition review criteria.