Minnesota Cannabis News: Week of November 9, 2026

The biggest story shaping Minnesota cannabis this week is the approaching federal limit on hemp-derived THC products, which is pushing businesses to discount inventory, change payment systems, and sketch out alternative products ahead of a December 11 deadline. At the same time, the Office of Cannabis Management's latest data showed September set a new record for monthly marijuana sales, two suburban cities took steps toward new dispensary openings, and the state's hemp farming program opened applications for the 2027 growing season.

Legal information in this article reflects laws current as of November 10, 2026. Minnesota cannabis law changes frequently; verify current rules with the Office of Cannabis Management.

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Federal Hemp-THC Cap Is Already Reshaping Minnesota Businesses

Starting December 11, 2026, the federal definition of hemp excludes finished products with more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, unless Congress acts first. Minnesota allows up to 10 milligrams of delta-9 THC in a single-serve can. A narrower piece arrives sooner: on November 12, products containing cannabinoids the hemp plant cannot produce, such as THC-O, lose federal hemp status (Pub. L. 119-103, sec. 2019). The Office of Cannabis Management says Minnesota's own rules for lower-potency hemp edibles do not change on December 11, but businesses that rely on federally regulated banks and card processors are already reacting. Northern Coffeeworks in south Minneapolis was notified by its payment processor Square that it must pull THC products from sale; Indeed Brewing shifted hemp sales to cash-only transactions; and Back Channel Brewing began discounting THC beverages to clear existing inventory. One business owner told CBS News Minnesota he feels "the rug is being ripped out" after betting on a market the state had authorized. If you sell or buy hemp-THC products, check with your retailer before December 11, since availability and payment options may change without additional notice. (CBS News Minnesota)

You can check a specific product against the federal cap with the hemp-THC checker tool, and the federal hemp deadline page tracks what is scheduled and what is pending.

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Hemp-THC Sellers Scale Back as Estimates Put the Minnesota Market Near $200 Million

The state does not track hemp-THC sales, so the size of the market is an estimate. Hoodline, citing state revenue and cannabis sales data, put hemp THC drink sales at roughly $180 million in the prior year; an industry estimate reported by FOX 9 in October put hemp sales at about $200 million a year (medium confidence on both). Retailer counts also differ by source: Hoodline reported 5,345 retailers as of August, while OCM's licensed-business file dated October 5, 2026, lists 1,905 lower-potency hemp edible retailer licenses. Producers are already pulling back: Earl Giles Drink Emporium co-owner Nick Kosevich estimated he has lost $1 million in sales as demand for his THC concentrate dried up ahead of the federal change. At least one Minnesota farmer chose soybeans over hemp this year rather than plant a crop that may face an unsellable market. Some brands are already planning alcohol-based or adaptogen-based alternative products. OCM has said it expects products to remain on shelves after December 11, with fewer retailers carrying them. (Hoodline)

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September Set a Monthly Sales Record for Minnesota Marijuana

Minnesota's legal marijuana market reached $29.4 million in September 2026, its highest single month since the market opened, according to the Office of Cannabis Management's Cannabis Market Monitor. Adult-use purchases accounted for approximately $20 million of that total, with medical sales adding another $9.3 million. Combined sales through the first nine months of 2026 reached approximately $220.8 million across 3.75 million transactions. Recreational purchases have roughly doubled since January, while medical sales have remained comparatively stable. The report counted 238 adult-use retail sites statewide; the dispensary directory lists licensed stores by city. (The Marijuana Herald)

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Anoka Votes to Pursue a Municipal Dispensary Partnership With Blaine

The Anoka City Council voted 4-1 on November 2 to approve a letter of intent to partner with Blaine on a jointly operated municipal cannabis dispensary. The arrangement would extend the model Anoka used when it opened Anoka Cannabis Company in February: a city-run store rather than a private licensee. Blaine had been in talks with a private company earlier but chose to pursue the municipal partnership after city officials toured the Anoka operation. The next step is a formal joint powers agreement between the two cities spelling out ownership, revenue sharing, and operations. For shoppers in the northern suburbs, a Blaine location would add a new municipally operated option closer to home. (Hometown Source)

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East Grand Forks Approves Boreal Elite to Fill Downtown Dispensary Slot

The East Grand Forks City Council voted 4-3 on November 4 to grant preliminary approval for Boreal Elite LLC to pursue a cannabis retail registration at the downtown location that Red Iris LLC had abandoned in September. The downtown slot had been left open after Red Iris terminated its purchasing agreement for 302-304 DeMers Avenue. Boreal Elite's representative argued successfully that the city's dispensary ordinance created separate limits for the downtown and highway commercial zones, and that filling one slot does not block the other. The city also hosts Waabigwan Mashkiki, operated by White Earth Nation, which opened in May and is not bound by city dispensary limits. If Boreal Elite completes its state licensing, East Grand Forks could have three dispensaries operating simultaneously. (Grand Forks Herald)

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CannaFest St. Paul Adds On-Site Smoking Area for November 12 Event

CannaFest returns to The Lowlands in St. Paul on Thursday, November 12, from 6 to 9 p.m., and this year the event will include an outdoor Puff Patio where attendees can legally smoke cannabis on site. More than 45 hemp businesses from across Minnesota are expected to attend, offering samples and sales of THC and CBD products including flower, foods, and beverages. All guests must be 21 or older with valid identification. The event is presented by Island Peizi. (Hoodline)

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State Cannabis Summit in St. Paul Trained About 300 Educators on Youth Risks

A cannabis education summit held in St. Paul this week drew about 300 educators, parents, and community leaders seeking tools to talk with students about marijuana risks, according to Hoodline and CBS News Minnesota. The gathering, now in its third year, comes as Minnesota schools implement new cannabis education classroom requirements taking effect during the current school year. Presenters shared a free prevention curriculum from Stanford Medicine's REACH Lab called Smart Talk, which includes age-graded lessons for elementary, middle, and high school students and is now available in Spanish. For parents and school staff, the Stanford toolkit is available at no cost through the REACH Lab website and includes training sessions for educators. (CBS News Minnesota)

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2027 Hemp Program Applications Now Open

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture opened its online application portal for 2027 hemp growing and processing licenses, with applications due April 30, 2027. First-time applicants must submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check. A hemp license covers growing and processing only and does not cover manufacturing or marketing hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The minimum license fee is $400, plus $250 per additional growing or processing location, and each pre-harvest THC regulatory test costs $100 per sample. If you are considering growing hemp in 2027, the application window is open now through the MDA hemp program page. Note that the upcoming federal hemp-THC limit could affect market demand for hemp-derived cannabinoid crops. For information on obtaining a retail or cultivation license under the state cannabis framework, see the Minnesota cannabis licenses guide. (KTTC Rochester)

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FAQ

What is the federal hemp-THC limit taking effect December 11, 2026? Starting December 11, 2026, the federal definition of hemp excludes finished products with more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, unless Congress acts first. Minnesota's rules allow up to 10 milligrams of delta-9 THC in a single-serve can, and OCM says those state rules do not change that day. Some businesses that use payment processors such as Square have removed THC products or moved to cash-only sales, according to CBS News Minnesota.

Does the December 11 federal hemp change affect dispensary-sold cannabis? No. The federal change applies to hemp-derived products, such as THC drinks sold in liquor stores, coffee shops and taprooms. Products sold by state-licensed dispensaries are regulated as cannabis under Minnesota Statutes chapter 342 and are not affected.

How much cannabis did Minnesota sell in September 2026? According to the Office of Cannabis Management's Cannabis Market Monitor, Minnesota's legal market reached $29.4 million in September 2026, the highest monthly total since adult-use sales began. Adult-use purchases made up approximately $20 million of that total.

What is the Anoka-Blaine cannabis partnership? The Anoka City Council voted 4-1 on November 2 to pursue a joint powers agreement with Blaine to open a municipally operated cannabis dispensary in Blaine. It would follow the same model as Anoka Cannabis Company, which Anoka opened in February and runs as a city-owned operation.

Who can attend CannaFest St. Paul on November 12? Attendees must be 21 or older and must present valid ID at the door. The event runs 6 to 9 p.m. at The Lowlands in St. Paul. On-site cannabis smoking is permitted only in the designated Puff Patio.

How do I apply for a Minnesota 2027 hemp license? Applications are open now through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's website at mda.state.mn.us/plants/hemp-program. The deadline is April 30, 2027. First-time applicants must complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting before the license is issued.