Spooky Season for Cannabis: Elections, Laced Pizza, and Evolving Rules
Trick or Treat! 🎃 This week, we’re treating all our readers to full access. The premium sections of this week’s The Pre-Roll are open and free for everyone, so dive into the goodies.
The Pre-Roll curates the most important cannabis news and developments at the intersection of policy, politics, and industry development. With over 3,100 subscribers, the Pre-Roll is Minnesota’s premier source for cannabis-related information and intelligence.
The Pre-Roll is written by Blunt Strategies, Minnesota’s first and only full-service strategic consultancy cultivated exclusively for the cannabis industry.
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The first three sections of The Pre-Roll (Announcements, Top 5 Must-Reads, and Upcoming Events) are always free to access, but this week we’re treating all readers to the full edition! Dive into the most in-depth legislative and agency updates, industry news and intelligence, and expert insights usually reserved for our paid subscribers. Enjoy this exclusive peek behind the scenes, and if you like what you see, consider upgrading your subscription to keep unlocking our premium content every week.
Announcements
Looking for pro-cannabis candidates to support? Check out MN Cann Political Action’s list of endorsed candidates! Built on the momentum of MN is Ready, the campaign that helped deliver Minnesota's pro-legalization majority, MN Cann Political Action is dedicated to shaping Minnesota’s cannabis industry by backing candidates committed to advancing a fair and sustainable local cannabis industry, as well as other sensible drug policy reforms.
For the past two weeks, we shared a link asking for donations to a silent auction benefit for the family ofSamuel Poquette, a Minnesota cannabis activist and entrepreneur who passed away earlier this month. Theauction is open for bidding at 12:00 PM on November 1, 2024 through 8:00 PM on November 8, 2024. Items include gift baskets from local businesses, asigned Up in Smoke script,Ouija Macc 3HM stage worn jersey, aVikings memorabilia lot, and much more. Additionally, organizers are giving awaya pair of tickets to the Dirtwire Show tonight, November 1st at First Ave; each dollar donated gets you an entry. You can also contribute directly to Sam’s family throughGoFundMe.
Top 5 Must Reads
The Minneapolis City Council approved zoning rules for cannabis businesses, opting not to include a distance requirement between dispensaries. Council members Aurin Chowdhury and Emily Koski introduced the amendment to eliminate the proposed 300-foot distance requirement, aiming to support local hemp retailers transitioning to dispensaries who might otherwise be edged out by competitors due to buffer restrictions. Emphasizing cannabis legalization as a step toward remedying past criminalization harms, Chowdhury said, “Legalization is a part of remedying that harmful legacy, specifically to people who are incarcerated for low-level drug crimes, and the way that cannabis has been perceived in our country. Having a higher restriction on spacing from schools, from liquor stores, felt a way of saying one is more moral than the other, and that was something that was discussed in the planning commission.” The final regulations maintain a 300-foot buffer from K-12 schools, aligning cannabis rules with those for liquor stores, and prohibit outward advertising of cannabis products. Read more: MPR News
A new poll shows that most marijuana consumers plan to vote for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump, despite both candidates expressing support for legalization. Harris seems to have stronger appeal among cannabis-friendly voters, likely due to her focus on social justice and equity in cannabis reform—issues that resonate with this demographic. Read more: Marijuana Moment
As cannabis legalization measures appear on ballots in Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska this November, advocates are cautiously optimistic, but a formidable "red wall" may pose challenges. With Republican dominance in these states, particularly those without ballot initiative processes, cannabis reform faces uphill battles. In South Dakota and North Dakota, previous legalization efforts failed, and opposition remains strong among conservative voters. Nebraska is considering medical cannabis, though a legal challenge complicates its path. Florida’s adult-use measure could pass but requires a 60% approval rate, and concerns linger over the potential monopolization of the market by large companies like Trulieve, which is bankrolling the campaign. This election serves as a critical test for cannabis reform in traditionally conservative states, where federal reform remains unlikely, and local legislative change faces significant hurdles. Read more: KSTP
In an unfortunate and avoidable mishap, a pizzeria in Wisconsin accidentally served several THC-laced pizzas to customers after a cook mistakenly used cannabis-infused oil to complete some orders. Between October 22 and October 24, at least five customers sought medical attention due to intense effects from the pizzas. Co-owner Cale Ryan reported that around 60 pizzas were affected, prompting a temporary shutdown for a thorough cleaning. Read more: Vice
This Wisconsin pizza incident is a prime example of why strict kitchen protocols are essential, especially when cannabis products are involved. But let’s also keep perspective that, while THC can certainly pack a punch, it hasn’t proven lethal. In fact, onions were linked to an E. coli outbreak just last week that led to one death and nearly 100 illnesses across multiple states.
Indigenous farmers across the northern plains, including leaders like Winona LaDuke and Breon Lake, are driving a hemp renaissance, with a focus on restoring traditional agricultural practices and building a sustainable textile industry. LaDuke’s Anishinaabe Agriculture Institute, based on Minnesota’s White Earth Reservation, has partnered with the Indigenous Hemp & Cannabis Farmers Cooperative to support Native farmers in growing and processing hemp. Their efforts recently led to the production of one of the first U.S.-made hemp bags in decades, sold by Patagonia. This movement aims to reclaim land, reduce reliance on synthetic materials, and create a regional supply chain for hemp-based textiles and construction materials. By focusing on cooperation over competition, these growers are working to establish an Indigenous-led hemp processing infrastructure that could eventually scale to produce natural fiber textiles like canvas and even hempcrete for sustainable housing. Read more: Esperanza Project
Bonus must watch 📺: A new short documentary was just released about Minnesota’s Lower Sioux Indian Community and their groundbreaking construction of affordable housing using industrial hemp building materials. The blurb from the producers: “Can you build affordable housing, cut greenhouse gas emissions and bootstrap a strapped community all at once? On the plains of Minnesota, the Lower Sioux Indian Community has the answer. And it starts with hemp.”
Upcoming Events
Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline Legal Cannabis Industry Forum hosted by the MN Department of Labor and Industry. November 8, 9 - 10 AM via webinar.
2024 Re-Imagining Justice Conference: Pivoting from Problem to Possibility hosted by the Minnesota Justice Research Center. November 19, 8 AM - 6 PM in Minneapolis.
The Lucky Leaf Expo is back in Minnesota Feb 28th to March 1 in Minneapolis. Booth registration is currently open.
This week, we're opening up our premium content to all readers—no subscription required! Dive into in-depth federal, state, and local government updates, industry news and intelligence, and expert insights and analysis.
Stay informed and see what our paid subscribers get each week to stay ahead in the ever-evolving cannabis landscape. Enjoy this exclusive look behind the scenes!
State Government Updates
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's Drug Crime Arrest Dashboard shows September 2024 as having the least drug arrests of any month in recent history, with only 577 drug arrests reported, with 74 of them being for cannabis.
The second-to-last meeting of Minnesota’s Psychedelic Medicine Task Force will be held on Monday, November 4th from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Agenda and directions to watch the livestream are here. Links to archived videos of past meetings are available halfway down the page here.
The Minnesota Task Force on Holistic and Effective Responses to Illicit Drug Use will meet on November 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 pm. The task force, which aims to address issues related to illicit drug use by developing recommendations focused on public health, safety, and prevention, began its work in September. The task force emphasizes a comprehensive approach, including harm reduction, treatment, and support for affected communities, to shape more effective drug policy in Minnesota.
With Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) working to finalize its social equity licensing lottery, industry experts like Hellmuth & Johnson attorney Carol Moss are calculating the program’s likelihood of staying on track for a 2024 lottery. Moss estimates that processing the 1,800+ social equity applicants could require up to 14,000 hours of staff time, suggesting a late November timeline for completing initial reviews. This comes amid the OCM’s first wave of deficiency notices, where applicants were given deadlines to address issues before progressing to the lottery phase. OCM interim director Charlene Briner confirmed that, while frustrated applicants want a timeline, the agency is taking a cautious approach to avoid setbacks. The lottery system, implemented to avoid subjective merit-based issues seen in other states, aims to improve fairness and streamline the launch of Minnesota's market. However, the complexity of balancing due diligence with a tight schedule has led to mounting pressure on the OCM. Read more: MinnPost
Local Government Updates
The Pipestone City Council voted on October 21 to authorize city staff to register with the state to sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products at the Municipal Liquor Store. These products include edibles with up to 5 mg of THC per serving and drinks with a maximum of 10 mg per container, restricted to adults 21 and older. Municipal Liquor Store Manager Scott Wilson highlighted the profitability of the products, noting low start-up costs for display equipment. Although council members expressed caution over potential social impacts, the council ultimately repealed a previous ordinance banning these sales to comply with updated state law. City Attorney Troy Gilchrist emphasized that the repeal aligns Pipestone with state regulations, which no longer permit local bans on hemp-derived THC sales. Read more: Pipestone County Star
Mankato proposes to cap the number of cannabis retailers in the city at four, aligning with the minimum required by state law based on population. Other proposed restrictions include mandating buffer zones of 1,000 feet from schools and 500 feet from parks, daycares, and treatment facilities, a prohibition on mobile sales, and limited operating hours.. The proposed ordinance is set for a public hearing on November 25. Read more: Mankato Free Press
Morrison County officials have outlined a proposed cannabis ordinance that includes specific operational rules, such as hours and security measures and allows local cities and townships the option to administer their own licensing or defer to the county. Public hearings for community feedback are scheduled for late November and early December. Read more: Morrison County Record
Kanabec County’s cannabis committee is finalizing a draft ordinance for cannabis business licensing, incorporating buffer zones of 1,000 feet from schools and 500 feet from daycares, treatment centers, and parks. The ordinance limits cannabis retail to two licenses based on population and sets sales hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. A public hearing is set for December 17, with final adoption expected by January 1. Read more: MoraMinn
The Ely City Council is reviewing draft ordinances for cannabis businesses, including zoning that restricts retail to specific areas and mandates industrial zones for cultivation. The ordinance includes provisions for temporary cannabis events and raises fines for hemp-derived THC retailers. The first reading of this ordinance is scheduled for November 19. Read more: Timberjay
Detroit Lakes City Council discussed its cannabis business ordinance, focusing on zoning retail locations in the B-3 auto-oriented district along U.S. Highway 10. Council members debated buffer distances and expressed reluctance to set a hard cap on the number of cannabis businesses, preferring to let zoning and market conditions act as natural limits. The council plans to finalize the ordinance in November. Read more: Detroit Lakes Online
Chisago County will hold a public hearing on November 6 to discuss a proposed ordinance on cannabis regulation and business registration. The ordinance focuses on zoning, licensing, and guidelines for cannabis businesses. Read more: Chisago County Press
Federal Government Updates
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled a December 2 hearing to address a proposed rule to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This shift would acknowledge cannabis’s accepted medical use and a reduced potential for abuse compared to Schedule I and II substances, based on recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services. If finalized, rescheduling to Schedule III would ease certain restrictions, including access to banking and tax deductions, though federal prohibitions under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act would still apply. Interested parties had until September 30 to request participation in the hearing, where the DEA will review evidence and expert opinions on the potential impact of this regulatory shift.
The DEA is preparing for its December 2 hearing on cannabis rescheduling by notifying selected witnesses, including representatives from industry groups, advocacy organizations, and prohibitionist voices. The hearing will assess the potential impact of reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. While industry advocates view this as a step toward reducing regulatory barriers, the addition of a public hearing has raised concerns about potential delays in the rescheduling timeline. Read more: Marijuana Moment.
Several New Mexico cannabis companies have filed a lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection, alleging that federal agents are unlawfully seizing state-legal cannabis products at border checkpoints. The companies argue that these seizures disrupt their business operations and violate their due process rights. The lawsuit highlights the ongoing conflict between state legalization and federal enforcement in border regions, where cannabis is still federally illegal despite being legal under New Mexico state law. Plaintiffs claim these actions also inadvertently benefit illicit operators by disrupting state-licensed cannabis tracking and distribution. Read more: Marijuana Moment.
Minnesotans Take Note: The Border Patrol has jurisdiction for 100 air miles from international borders. This case will have ramifications for operators in northern Minnesota.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) introduced a Local Emphasis Program focused on identifying and reducing workplace hazards in Colorado’s cannabis sector with expansion to other states in coming years. OSHA’s program will involve site inspections, consultations, and worker interviews to address issues like respiratory protection, electrical hazards, and handling flammable materials. Read more:Marijuana Moment
Industry News & Intelligence
In a recent survey of Minnesota brewers, one in four breweries reported producing THC-infused beverages in-house, while another quarter showed interest in entering this market. Though breweries outside the Twin Cities metro were more skeptical, those that have embraced THC beverages report positive sales growth, with some metro breweries seeing these drinks account for a notable percentage of revenue. Venn Brewing’s THC tonics, for instance, make up about 30% of its sales, reflecting a growing consumer demand for alternative, cannabis-based products. The Minnesota craft beer industry is adapting to these evolving market trends, positioning itself at the forefront of the THC beverage boom even as breweries face broader challenges from inflation, changing consumer habits, and increased competition. Read more: The Racket
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s recent cannabis summit focused on the “dangers” of cannabis, gathering prohibitionist “experts” to discuss health risks and societal impacts, all while skirting recent research supporting cannabis’s medical benefits. With a strong emphasis on potential negatives and an undercurrent of skepticism toward legalization, the event presented a notably conservative view on cannabis in a time when public sentiment and emerging studies are painting a more nuanced picture. Read more: KARE 11
A new poll indicates that support for South Dakota’s marijuana legalization initiative is trailing, with fewer voters in favor compared to previous years. The results suggest growing challenges for advocates seeking to expand cannabis access in the state, where recent legalization efforts have faced pushback. The outcome could reflect shifting attitudes or increased opposition, posing hurdles for pro-legalization campaigns. Read more: Marijuana Moment
A new study using federal data shows that teen marijuana use has decreased in the U.S. as more states have legalized cannabis. This decline suggests that legalization, along with regulated sales and age restrictions, may be contributing to reduced marijuana use among teens, countering concerns that legalization would lead to higher youth consumption rates. Read more: Marijuana Moment
A new study looked into whether cannabis changes your brain, and the answer is as foggy as the smoke. While some evidence points to potential effects on memory and cognition, it’s not exactly a clear verdict—especially with factors like age, usage frequency, and THC levels complicating things. So, while the headlines hype brain changes, the reality is we’re still in the dark and need more research to really know what’s going on up there. Read more: Southern Minnesota News
