Recreational marijuana is now legal in Minnesota: A guide

Marijuana: What’s legal and what’s not?

With recreational marijuana now officially legal in Minnesota, there’s still some confusion as to what’s allowed and what’s not. FOX 9’s Nathan O’Neal breaks it down.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Adults in Minnesota can now legally possess and grow recreational marijuana. Here's everything you need to know.

Who can use marijuana in Minnesota?

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Adults 21 and older can possess and travel within Minnesota's borders with 2 ounces of cannabis flower, 8 grams of concentrate, and 900 milligrams worth of THC-containing edible products (gummies, seltzers). Meanwhile, they can have 2 pounds of cannabis flower at home.

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That being said, it remains illegal under federal law to bring marijuana into Minnesota from out of state.

Recreational legalized Tuesday in Minnesota

Although marijuana is set to become legal in Minnesota at midnight, there will still be restrictions on where you can use it and how much you can have.

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Breaking down legal marijuana in Minnesota

A bill making Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana is on its way to the Governor's desk to be signed into law. Here's what to expect.

In addition to using and possessing marijuana, adults can grow up to eight plants at home (no more than eight flowering at a time). They must be grown in an enclosed space that's locked and not visible to the public.

Cannabis seeds are also legal. So far, the State of Minnesota has granted at least 26 permits to label cannabis seeds for sale.

Where can you buy marijuana in Minnesota?

Tribal marijuana dispensaries

State licensing for retail cannabis sales are probably still at least 18 months away, but Gov. Tim Walz tells FO( 9 that legal sales could come a lot sooner within state boundaries.

It'll be awhile before retail marijuana shops pop up in your community. That's because the state licensing for retail cannabis sales is probably still more than a year away. The Office of Cannabis Management will oversee the cannabis industry in Minnesota, with applications for the executive director position closing on July 31. The office will also run the state's medical marijuana program.

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Tribal governments, however, will set their own rules. As a result, retail shops on tribal lands will open much earlier. In fact, the Red Lake Nation in northwestern Minnesota was scheduled to begin selling recreational marijuana on Aug. 1, 2023, at its medical cannabis dispensary, becoming the first retail recreational marijuana location in the state.

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The White Earth Nation is expected to get up and running with its recreational marijuana retail shop sometime this month.

Low-dose hemp derived edibles like gummies and drinks, which have been legal for more than a year, continue to be legal to sell throughout Minnesota. The low-dose edibles are now subject to new regulations and testing requirements to improve safety for consumers.

Where can you smoke marijuana?

Marijuana legalization: MN police preparing

Kevin Torgerson of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office joined FOX 9 on Sunday to discuss how the legalization of marijuana on Aug. 1 will impact law enforcement.

Adults 21 and older can consume recreational marijuana on private property. But it's illegal to smoke or vape weed anywhere tobacco smoking is prohibited. That includes many apartment buildings, college campuses and businesses.

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"It is a choice to consume cannabis, and if you do so, you can do so in your home. You can do so in certain public places unless a local government has developed some ordinances or policies that restrict that," said Charlene Briner, implementation director for the Office of Cannabis Management.

Many cities and towns are still trying to sort out their own rules regarding public consumption of cannabis.

Legal marijuana: What you need to know

Marijuana became legal for adults in Minnesota on Aug. 1. Charlene Briner, the implementation director of the Office of Cannabis Management, joined FOX 9 on Tuesday to discuss the new law and everything Minnesotans need to know.

Cannabis is also not allowed on federal property, including the federal courthouses, the airport or National Parks.

Smoking in your car is not allowed – whether you’re the passenger or not, and should be handled similarly to alcohol in terms of open container laws.

It's illegal to use cannabis while driving, in public schools, and on federal property.

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Expungement for minor marijuana offenses

Record expungement part of new marijuana law

Part of a new bill that will legalize recreational marijuana will also expunge criminal records of those previously charged with possession or usage in the past.

Along with legalizing recreational marijuana, minor marijuana convictions will begin being expunged.

This change could benefit more than 60,000 Minnesotans.

Meanwhile, a special Cannabis Expungement Board will be formed to review felony convictions for possible expungement on a case-by-case basis.

Drug testing and cannabis

Under the new law, employers generally won’t be allowed to drug test employees for cannabis, including pre-employment screening. However, there are some exceptions for "safety sensitive" positions, including peace officers, firefighters and those who work with children.