Cannabis business regulations amendment

You can learn more about the adult use cannabis amendment.

Rules for businesses

A cannabis or hemp edible business must get all required approvals before it can open.

Zoning rules includes:

Where cannabis businesses can open
Standards for cannabis businesses

The Cannabis Business Zoning Regulations Guide is being created. It will explain these zoning rules. You can find all zoning rules in the Minneapolis zoning code.

Other state laws or city ordinances may also apply. This includes, but is not limited to:

A valid license from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)
Construction permits
A business registration from Business Licenses & Consumer Services, for retail businesses only

Adopted cannabis business regulations

The adopted cannabis business regulations went into effect on November 9, 2024. We created rules to focus on:

Safety
Fairness
Accessibility

The cannabis rules are based on how the property is used, not the type of state license the business has.

Find more information about regulations for cannabis businesses

Background

In 2023, Minnesota's state government made it legal for adults over 21 to use cannabis. Minneapolis then created rules about when, where, and how cannabis businesses run. These rules cover all the cannabis and lower-potency hemp edible licenses offered by the State of Minnesota.

This includes how cannabis is:

Grown
Processed
Sold
Distributed

The ordinance created specific rules for cannabis uses to cover things like:

Where cannabis businesses may locate
Standards for cannabis businesses

Goals of the amendment

The cannabis zoning regulations are intended to:

Support the legal cannabis industry
Keep our community safe and healthy

Applicable sections of the Zoning Code

The ordinance affects the following chapters of the zoning code:

Chapter 545. Use Regulations
Chapter 550. Development Standards
Chapter 560. Signs
Chapter 565. Definitions

Get more information on the Zoning Code

View Zoning Code maps

Meetings

City Planning Commission Committee of the Whole

CPED staff gave an overview of the staff-recommended code amendment text on June 13, 2024. Staff requested and received feedback from Planning Commission members.
View the meeting agenda
Read the memo
View the presentation

Public meetings and outreach

Two virtual Public Information Sessions were held on Aug. 22, 2024 and Aug. 28, 2024.
View the Presentation

Adoption process

Planning Commission Public Hearing (Sept. 30, 2024)
Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee (Oct. 22, 2024)
City Council (Oct. 31, 2024)
Ordinance Approved and Signed by Mayor – Nov. 5, 2024
Effective Date – Nov. 9, 2024

Media requests

For all media inquiries, please contact the City of Minneapolis Communications Department.

Cannabis information from the City

We share information about cannabis for people who live in, work in and visit Minneapolis.

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Sara Roman

Community Planning & Economic Development

Email Sara Roman

Phone

612-673-2855

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415