Is CBD Legal in Minnesota?

Let’s talk about a common question. Is CBD legal in Minnesota? Are CBD products legal in MN?

CBD oil products are legal in the state of Minnesota. Also, in case you’re curious, Minnesota has a large number of medical dispensaries, particularly concentrated in locations around major city centers. As a side note, medical marijuana use became legal in Minnesota in 2014 with the passing of the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program.

Now we are going to learn more about Minnesota CBD laws, licensing requirements in the state and where to buy CBD in Minnesota.

What is CBD?

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis. It is known as a cannabinoid. Studies continue to show CBD may have a lot of beneficial properties, with the most popular of these being:

• anti-inflammatory
• anti-oxidative
• pain relief
• anti-seizure
• anxiety relief properties

These are most of the widely reported benefits from New Phase Blends CBD users and other CBD product users, alike.

CBD comes in different product forms, like gummies or tinctures. The 1,000 mg CBD tincture is, perhaps, the most common of these products. You’ll likely see other forms of CBD, too.

CBD is Found In Cannabis

Cannabidiol is found in cannabis. Cannabis contains both the hemp and marijuana plant species, though. This is an important distinction to keep in mind when discussing the legal status of CBD in Minnesota. CBD is a non-psychoactive cousin of THC, which means CBD cannot, and will not, get you high.

As long as your CBD oil product is hemp-based (comes from the hemp plant), it will not contain an amount of THC over 0.3%. Federal regulations on CBD currently require all CBD products for sale to come from hemp in order to remain federally legal.

A THC amount of 0.3% isn’t enough to get anyone high.

Incorporating CBD in your life is a great way to help offer relief in a more natural way than other medications that have harsh side-effects. CBD research over the last few years is significant. Investments done in research and development are numerous.

The FDA is still figuring out their approval process for CBD, so until this is complete, CBD will not be able to achieve the status of a dietary supplement.

Why is CBD Illegal in Some Places?

This is a grey area. Let’s begin by addressing the fact that while CBD is federally legal, each state has its own laws on the use of hemp-derived compounds, like CBD.

Thankfully, CBD is legal in Minnesota. Minnesota doesn’t have any overly aggressive laws about CBD use or possession. Most states follow a similar route in the legalization of hemp these days. Back in 2018, when CBD was made federally legal, some states refused to follow suit.

This is no longer the case.

As time goes on though, states are continuing to soften these CBD laws.

Marijuana vs Hemp

Put into law in 2018, the Farm Bill brought a revolution for hemp and hemp. The cultivation of hemp became federally legal for recreational purposes when this was passed.

This bill specifically removed hemp, which is now legally defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC by weight, from the schedule I list of controlled substances. As of the writing of this article, cannabis as a whole is now set to be voted on for removal from this same list. Remember, cannabis contains both hemp and marijuana as sub-species.

CBD oil is now legal in Minnesota because it basically followed suit and created a similar state law, as mentioned above.

The United States FDA and CBD

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority of regulating CBD product labeling, monitoring therapeutic claims for CBD, and the usage of CBD for recreational and dietary purposes.

The FDA must authorize any health claims that CBD products make. No medications to date have received this designation, except for the pharmaceutical drug Epidiolex.

While the Food and Drug Administration has maintained this stance for years, it has softened these regulations and is considering appropriate legislation around labeling CBD as a dietary supplement. In addition, the Farm Bill has given the authority to states to allow or disallow the cultivation and selling of CBD.

Let’s move on to CBD and its legal status in Minnesota.

Is CBD Legal in Minnesota?

Minnesota has already taken many positions on the legalization of both cannabis and hemp. While hemp-derived CBD is completely legal in Minnesota, medical marijuana remains regulated and specifically for those who have a medical marijuana card.

You can read more about the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Authority here if interested.

Minnesota lawmakers are working to submit new regulations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that remove marijuana as a controlled substance.

The state will continue taking steps to implement the current regulations and licensing requirements for the growers and processors within Minnesota.

Licensing Requirements for CBD in Minnesota

CBD does not require a license for use in Minnesota. A medical card is mandatory for legal use of marijuana. Possession of marijuana is illegal without this card. Hemp products, though, are good to go.

The Hemp Research Pilot Program studies the growth, cultivation, and marketing of hemp. To better learn about hemp in Minnesota, pilot participants are required to provide reports to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) regarding seed varieties planted, agronomic findings, and any processing, distribution and sales of products.

The pilot program has been administered by the MDA since 2016.

Minnesota CBD Possession Limits

Minnesota has decriminalized all CBD possession limits. Currently, there is no possession limit for hemp-derived CBD products in Minnesota.

Where to Buy CBD Oil in Minnesota?

To be honest, CBD oil products are all over the place in Minnesota. Consumers can buy CBD oil on the internet, and also find hemp derived CBD products from a variety of retail storefronts, gas stations, and kiosks within the state. I want to caution you, though, to be extra careful on where you purchase your CBD products.

In the summer of 2020, the FDA conducted a study on CBD products from different brands. It reported that roughly 25% of CBD products are either fake, under-dosed, or mislabeled. CBD is expensive. I would hate to see a bogus CBD company rip you off.

Summary – Is CBD Oil Legal in Minnesota?

Yes, CBD oil is legal in Minnesota, in addition to other CBD products for sale. Here are some things to look for to make sure your CBD falls within the federal guidelines for use:

• Hemp-derived CBD is legal
• It must contain less than 0.3% THC
• I recommend that the CBD labels include a QR code that scans to a third-party lab result
• Marijuana-derived CBD is not legal

That about wraps up covering the laws of CBD within MN. If you are looking to purchase or possess CBD in Minnesota, you don’t have to worry. It is 100% legal in Minnesota, so long as it comes from hemp.

References

Antioxidants Journal: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
Congressional Research Service: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10556
Minnesota Department of Agriculture: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/hemp
Minnesota Health Department: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/cannabis/
Minnesota State Website:https://www.leg.mn.gov/docs/2020/other/200248.pdf