Minnesota House Passes Bill Allowing Out-of-State Labs to Test Hemp Products

The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed HF 3615, a bill that would temporarily allow accredited out-of-state laboratories to test lower-potency hemp edibles and non-intoxicating cannabinoid products sold in Minnesota. The bill now awaits a vote in the Minnesota Senate, and its passage would mark a meaningful intervention in one of the most persistent operational challenges facing Minnesota's hemp industry: a severe bottleneck at the state's only two licensed testing facilities.

How We Got Here: A Testing System Under Strain

When Minnesota built out its cannabis and hemp regulatory framework under Chapter 342, testing was treated as a foundational safeguard. Before any hemp or cannabis product can legally reach a consumer, it must pass through a licensed laboratory that verifies THC content, confirms the absence of contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals, and meets other quality standards set by OCM. That requirement is not optional, and it applies to every batch of product sold in the state.

The problem is that Minnesota has only two licensed testing facilities capable of performing this work. As of late 2025, reporting from Fox 9 found that at least one of those facilities was already experiencing a four-week backlog, and the project manager at Legend Labs told reporters the state needs at least eight labs to adequately serve the market. A separate Star Tribune report found cultivators facing wait times of six weeks or more to test cannabis flower.

Two labs for an entire state-regulated market is a structural mismatch. It was not designed to fail; it reflects how new this industry is. Licensing a testing laboratory requires meeting rigorous accreditation standards, investing in specialized equipment, and navigating OCM's approval process. The number of facilities willing and able to clear all those hurdles has simply not kept pace with the growth of the licensed market.

For hemp businesses in particular, this has created a compounding problem. Lower-potency hemp edibles flooded the Minnesota market after legalization, with OCM receiving more than 2,200 applications from hemp businesses in October 2025 alone. Manufacturers trying to keep shelves stocked have found themselves stuck in testing queues, unable to legally move product while waiting weeks for lab results.

What HF 3615 Does

HF 3615, introduced by Rep. Jessica Hanson (DFL-Burnsville), would allow accredited out-of-state laboratories to test lower-potency hemp edibles and non-intoxicating cannabinoid products for the Minnesota market on a temporary basis. The authorization would run through May 31, 2027.

The bill does not open Minnesota's testing requirements to any lab that applies. Participating out-of-state facilities would need to be accredited, in good standing in their home state, and approved by OCM. This preserves the integrity of the testing requirement while significantly expanding the pool of available capacity.

The scope is intentionally limited. HF 3615 applies to lower-potency hemp edibles and products containing non-intoxicating cannabinoids. It does not extend to higher-potency cannabis products regulated under Chapter 342's adult-use and medical frameworks. This keeps the bill within a narrower lane where the backlog problem is most acute and where the policy rationale is clearest.

The temporary window through May 2027 is also deliberate. It gives the Legislature time to assess whether in-state lab capacity expands organically, and it preserves the option of revisiting the policy based on how the market develops. If two years from now Minnesota has six licensed testing facilities, the out-of-state authorization may no longer be needed.

What This Means for Hemp Businesses

For manufacturers and retailers operating in the lower-potency hemp edible space, passage of HF 3615 could meaningfully shorten testing timelines before the end of the current production season. Instead of competing for limited slots at two in-state labs, businesses would be able to shop for testing services among a broader pool of accredited facilities, including labs in states with more mature regulatory markets where cannabis testing infrastructure is more developed.

More options typically mean shorter wait times and more competitive pricing. For small hemp businesses operating on thin margins, even a modest reduction in testing costs or a two-week improvement in turnaround time can translate to real savings and more consistent inventory.

It is worth noting that Minnesota's hemp market is operating against a ticking federal clock. In November 2025, President Trump signed legislation that includes a provision banning hemp-derived products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC in November 2026. That federal deadline creates significant uncertainty for Minnesota hemp businesses, many of whom are now navigating whether their products would remain legal under federal law past that date. Faster, more accessible testing is one way businesses can ensure their products are compliant and positioned for whatever the regulatory environment looks like post-November 2026.

For an overview of how Minnesota's hemp licensing framework works, visit our legal section.

What This Means for Consumers

For consumers who buy lower-potency hemp edibles at smoke shops, liquor stores, or other retail outlets, the testing backlog is not always visible, but it affects product availability. When a manufacturer cannot get a product tested in time, it cannot legally restock shelves. The result is gaps in inventory, limited product variety, and in some cases, businesses sourcing products from out-of-state manufacturers whose supply chains are not constrained by Minnesota's lab bottleneck.

Expanding testing access should improve consistency and availability over time. It also reinforces the basic consumer protection rationale for mandatory testing: every product that reaches the shelf has been independently verified, regardless of where the lab that verified it is located.

Consumers can find hemp and cannabis products available at licensed Minnesota dispensaries.

Historical Context: Other States Have Faced This Problem

Minnesota is not alone in encountering testing infrastructure challenges. Colorado, California, and Michigan all experienced periods where testing lab capacity lagged behind market growth, leading to backlogs, higher costs, and in some cases, products sitting in warehouses unable to move. Several of those states responded by expanding their approved lab networks, streamlining accreditation processes, and in some cases allowing temporary exceptions for out-of-state testing.

Minnesota's approach with HF 3615 mirrors those precedents. The temporary nature of the authorization signals that the state views this as a bridge solution rather than a permanent outsourcing of a core regulatory function. Building in-state capacity remains the long-term goal.

Next Steps

HF 3615 has passed the Minnesota House and now awaits Senate scheduling and a committee hearing. If passed and signed into law, OCM would be responsible for establishing the process by which out-of-state labs could apply for and receive authorization to test Minnesota hemp products.

Rep. Hanson, who introduced the bill, has also sponsored several of OCM's other priority bills this session, including the supply chain merger legislation described in our OCM legislative package breakdown. Her involvement across multiple bills suggests a coordinated effort to advance the regulatory reform agenda in the 2026 session.

Businesses operating in the lower-potency hemp space should monitor the bill's progress closely. If the Senate acts in the coming weeks, the authorization could be in place before the end of the current production season. You can follow the latest Minnesota cannabis and hemp legislation news here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What products would be covered under HF 3615?

HF 3615 applies to lower-potency hemp edibles and non-intoxicating cannabinoid products. It does not cover higher-potency cannabis products regulated under Minnesota's adult-use or medical cannabis laws under Chapter 342.

How long would the out-of-state testing authorization last?

The authorization is temporary and would expire on May 31, 2027, unless the Legislature acts to extend or make it permanent.

Why does Minnesota only have two licensed hemp testing labs?

Minnesota's cannabis and hemp testing infrastructure is still relatively new. Licensing a testing lab requires meeting state accreditation standards and significant equipment investment. The number of qualified facilities willing to pursue licensure has not kept pace with market growth. Reporting from Fox 9 found that the state needs at least eight labs to handle current demand.

How bad is the current testing backlog?

As of late 2025, at least one of Minnesota's two licensed testing facilities reported a four-week backlog, while Star Tribune reporting found some cannabis cultivators waiting six weeks or more for flower testing results.

Has the Senate passed the bill yet?

As of March 2026, HF 3615 has passed the Minnesota House and awaits a Senate vote. Check our news section for updates as the bill advances.