Breweries in Minnesota are seeing benefits from the state’s cannabis law

A new cannabis law in Minnesota has the state’s craft breweries in a frenzy.

Local news station KARE reports that industry leaders “were indeed seeking more regulations for THC-infused beverages under the Adult Use Cannabis Act and have been very pleased with the legislation signed by Gov. Walz.”

According to the broadcaster, the new law “sets firm ground rules for who can make and sell low-dose THC-derived hemp-derived beverages,” while “expanding the market for these beverages because the same bill will allow liquor stores to sell them at a discounted price.” for sale.” first time.”

“It’s not every day that you go to the legislature and say, ‘Can we get more taxes?’ Can we get more regulations?’ But ultimately, our members wanted to make sure we were doing this in a legitimate and reputable manner,” Bob Galligan of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild told KARE.

“Not everyone fully realizes how revolutionary the actual market for low-dose hemp products is in Minnesota.”

This market emerged last year after Minnesota passed a new law that allowed food and beverages to be fortified with up to 0.3% THC.

The measure surprised a number of state lawmakers, particularly Republicans, who were unaware they had effectively legalized marijuana in the state.

A year later, Minnesota lawmakers went even further, becoming the 23rd state to legalize recreational cannabis after Walz signed a bill into law in May.

“We’ve known for too long that banning cannabis use hasn’t worked. By legalizing adult-use cannabis, we are expanding our economy, creating jobs and regulating the industry to keep Minnesota residents safe,” said Walz at a signing ceremony. “Legalizing cannabis for adults and having cannabis convictions overturned or reconsidered will empower communities. This is the right move for Minnesota.”

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan added, “Legalizing adult-use cannabis is about keeping our communities safe, promoting justice for Minnesota residents, and investing in a strong economic future.” The ban of cannabis use has not worked and has disproportionately harmed communities of color across the state. By overturning nonviolent cannabis convictions, we are removing the barriers preventing thousands of Minnesotans from fully returning to work, their communities and their lives. This is how we make communities safer.”

As with most other legalization laws, Minnesota’s new measure allows adults age 21 and older to possess and use cannabis, creates a regulatory framework for establishing a legal marijuana retail market, and provides a pathway for the overturning of prior marijuana-related convictions.

According to KARE, the new law imposes a 10% state tax on hemp-derived beverages and distinguishes “the difference between hemp-derived products and marijuana-derived products.”

“It has recognized hemp as a federally legal product. We as brewers would not be able to sell a marijuana product. That would be illegal federally,” Dan Justesen, owner and operator of Utepils Brewing in Minneapolis, told the broadcaster. “The bill recognized what we made unique in Minnesota and kept it alive so many very small breweries like us could get a foot in the door and stay there.”

Justesen continued: “We saw that consumers liked it, they wanted and they bought, so we looked at the reality we had after the Corona crisis and the funds that allowed us to stay open ‘ Justen explained. “The legal serving size in Minnesota is 5 milligrams, so we’re being a little conservative with the early stages. For the majority of Minnesotans, this was a whole new experience, or perhaps one they hadn’t had in several decades. So we thought giving them something that would make them happy and not upset would be the way forward for us.”