Turn the dial. The words change; the facts do not. Pick the level that fits, then explain it to someone else.
In November 2025, the bill that ended the government shutdown also rewrote what "hemp" means in federal law.
Starting December 11, 2026, a finished hemp product with more than 0.4 mg of total THC in its container is no longer hemp under federal law. A typical Minnesota THC seltzer has 2 to 10 mg. December 10 is the last day under the old definition.
Minnesota's regulator, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), says state law does not change on Dec 11 and products should stay on shelves, though fewer stores may carry them.
Breweries, liquor stores, gas stations and hemp makers feel it most. About half of Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild members make or sell THC drinks. Licensed dispensaries sell cannabis under state cannabis law and are not affected.
Supporters of the cap, including 39 state attorneys general in a letter co-led by Minnesota's Keith Ellison, say the 2018 Farm Bill was about fiber and grain, and that many states lack age, testing and labeling rules.
Supporters of regulation, including Minnesota breweries, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and Reps. Angie Craig and Andy Barr, say Minnesota already regulates these products and that a cap would end a legal industry and its jobs.
The change is scheduled for Dec 11 unless Congress acts. Federal funding also runs out that same day, and the first delay rode on a funding bill.
Several bills would delay the change or replace the cap with rules. None has had a floor vote.
Data as of Oct 31, 2026. Same sources at every level: federal statute and OCM first, then news and law-firm analysis. The Nov 12 date for cannabinoids the plant cannot produce comes from Pub. L. 119-103 sec. 2019 (high confidence; OCM has not addressed it).
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Last reviewed Oct 31, 2026. This page explains the law; it is not legal advice. Businesses should consult counsel. OCM cannot give business or legal advice; questions go to cannabis.info@state.mn.us.
Confidence labels: high (statute or agency, or two news sources agree), medium (one news or law-firm source, or sources conflict), low (one industry source). Highlighted VERIFY tags mark details we have not confirmed yet. Spot an error? Send a correction.
