Watch: How Marijuana Legalization in Minnesota Will Impact Small Business

August 17, 2023 Last Edit: June 5, 2025

NFIB member and employment attorney Martin Kapperman explains what small employers need to know.

Watch: How Marijuana Legalization in Minnesota Will Impact Small Business

Recently, Minnesota lawmakers legalized recreational marijuana across the state. In response to questions about how the new law will impact small business owners, Minnesota NFIB State Director John Reynolds and Martin Kappenman, NFIB member and shareholder at Peters, Revnew, Kappenman & Anderson, recently hosted a webinar to talk about what employers need to know about managing their workforce now that marijuana is legal in Minnesota. MN | Marijuana Legalization Webinar from NFIB Small Business on Vimeo. House File 100 passed on May 19 and was signed into law May 30. Here’s a timeline of the rollout: 7/1/2023: Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management established 8/1/2023: Possessing, consuming and growing certain amounts of marijuana becomes legal -in public: up to 2 oz cannabis flower -at home: up to 2 pounds + 8 plants Red Lake, White Earth open retail shops New employee testing restrictions take effect 2024 (est.): retail license applications begin 2025 (est.): retail sales begin While possessing, consuming and growing marijuana has only been legal in Minnesota since August 1, there are already emerging problems including questions about where public consumption is lawful, the time gap between decriminalization and retail sales, and a lack of standard for what constitutes THC intoxication. There is also confusion surrounding testing standards for employers like small business owners. Martin breaks down what you need to know about testing, managing, and disciplining employees in the new age of recreational marijuana. Have additional questions? Feel free to reach out to Martin Kappenman or NFIB State Director John Reynolds: MKappenman@prkalaw.com or (952) 921-4603 John.Reynolds@nfib.org or (651) 293-1283

Topics:

Taxes

State:

Minnesota

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