The bill S.F. No. 2165 proposes changes to Minnesota’s medical cannabis regulations. Specifically, it seeks to increase the plant canopy that a medical cannabis combination business may use for cultivation. This expansion would allow for greater production of medical cannabis flower and cannabinoid products.

Key Provisions:

1. Expanded Cultivation:

   • Increases the allowable plant canopy for medical cannabis businesses.

2. Amendments to Business Operations:

   • Allows medical cannabis combination businesses to cultivate, process, and sell both medical and recreational cannabis under certain conditions.
   • Permits the manufacturing of various cannabis products, including concentrates, hemp-derived products, and artificially derived cannabinoids.
   • Enables businesses to purchase cannabis materials from licensed entities, such as microbusinesses, mezzobusinesses, manufacturers, wholesalers, and industrial hemp growers.
   • Authorizes direct sales and deliveries to registered medical cannabis patients, their caregivers, and other licensed businesses.

3. Repeal of Existing Statute:

   • Eliminates Minnesota Statutes 2024, Section 342.515, Subdivision 3, though the specific content of that provision is not included in the provided text.

4. Clarifications on Business Licensing:

   • A medical cannabis combination business cannot own or operate other types of cannabis or hemp businesses.
   • Each entity may hold only one medical cannabis combination license.
   • Clarifies that such businesses do not need a separate medical cannabis endorsement for approved activities.

Impact:

This bill would expand the medical cannabis market in Minnesota by allowing businesses to increase production and distribution while maintaining regulatory oversight over licensing and business operations.