Yes, a food handling license is required for the manufacture, distribution, and/or sale of any food in Minnesota, unless a specific exemption or exclusion applies. This includes the sale of approved hemp foods. Further detail on food licensing can be found on the MDA Food Licenses page.
Since edible cannabinoid products are not food by definition in Minnesota Statutes, a food handling license is not required and the MDA is not the regulatory authority. The Minnesota Department of Health Office of Medical Cannabis regulates the sale of hemp extracts and cannabinoid products in Minnesota. Further detail on edible cannabinoid products can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Yes, a licensed food business can make or sell edible cannabinoid products as long as food products are protected from potential contamination or confusion. There is no prohibition for making or selling edible cannabinoid products in a licensed food facility. Ensuring good sanitary practices, separation, and identification between food and edible cannabinoid products will be necessary when using common facilities or equipment.
Further details on sanitary facilities and safe food handling practices can be found on the MDA Food Safety page and the Minnesota Department of Health Food Business Fact Sheets page. Further detail on edible cannabinoid products can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Yes, a licensed food business can make or sell edible cannabinoid products as long as food products are protected from potential contamination or confusion. There is no prohibition for making or selling edible cannabinoid products in a licensed food facility. Ensuring good sanitary practices, separation, and identification between food and edible cannabinoid products will be necessary when using common facilities or equipment.
Further details on sanitary facilities and safe food handling practices can be found on the MDA Food Safety page and the Minnesota Department of Health Food Business Fact Sheets page. Further detail on edible cannabinoid products can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website.
This page was last updated on 08/05/2024
While there is no legal definition of "cannabinoid" in federal or state law, for the purposes of this document, cannabinoid refers to any of the phytocannabinoids produced by the hemp plant. "Phyto" means that the cannabinoid is naturally occurring in the plant (versus synthetic cannabinoids). Phytocannabinoids can be extracted from plant tissues and formulated into products if they meet the criteria specified in Minnesota Statute. Common cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN); however, there are over 100 cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture Hemp Program licenses and regulates the processing of raw hemp material. The program does not regulate cannabis extracts, development and manufacturing of cannabis extracts, or the retail and marketing of cannabinoid products.
The Minnesota Department of Health Office of Medical Cannabis regulates the sale of hemp extracts and cannabinoid products for human consumption in Minnesota. As of July 1, 2022, this includes edible cannabinoid products which are intended to be eaten or consumed as a beverage by humans, contains a cannabinoid in combination with food ingredients, and are not drugs. More information can be found in the Minnesota Department of Health Edible Cannabinoid Products webpage and in Minnesota Statute Sale of Certain Cannabinoid Products.
While there is no legal definition of "cannabinoid" in federal or state law, for the purposes of this document, cannabinoid refers to any of the phytocannabinoids produced by the hemp plant. "Phyto" means that the cannabinoid is naturally occurring in the plant (versus synthetic cannabinoids). Phytocannabinoids can be extracted from plant tissues and formulated into products if they meet the criteria specified in Minnesota Statute. Common cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN); however, there are over 100 cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture Hemp Program licenses and regulates the processing of raw hemp material. The program does not regulate cannabis extracts, development and manufacturing of cannabis extracts, or the retail and marketing of cannabinoid products.
The Minnesota Department of Health Office of Medical Cannabis regulates the sale of hemp extracts and cannabinoid products for human consumption in Minnesota. As of July 1, 2022, this includes edible cannabinoid products which are intended to be eaten or consumed as a beverage by humans, contains a cannabinoid in combination with food ingredients, and are not drugs. More information can be found in the Minnesota Department of Health Edible Cannabinoid Products webpage and in Minnesota Statute Sale of Certain Cannabinoid Products.
“Food” includes all products that are intended for consumption or used as an ingredient in a product intended for consumption. This includes candy, chewing gum, dietary supplements, and beverages, including alcoholic beverages (e.g., wine, beer, distilled spirits).
Further detail on the definition of “food” in Minnesota can be found in Minnesota Statute and Minnesota Administrative Rule.
“Food” includes all products that are intended for consumption or used as an ingredient in a product intended for consumption. This includes candy, chewing gum, dietary supplements, and beverages, including alcoholic beverages (e.g., wine, beer, distilled spirits).
Further detail on the definition of “food” in Minnesota can be found in Minnesota Statute and Minnesota Administrative Rule.
Currently, three hemp products are designated as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) – they are (1) hulled hemp seeds, (2) hemp seed protein powder, and (3) hemp seed oil. These three products, which are all from the seed of the hemp plant, contain only trace amounts of extracts like THC and CBD and have been evaluated by the FDA. These three products can be sold as food or added as ingredients to foods and sold in Minnesota.
Currently, three hemp products are designated as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) – they are (1) hulled hemp seeds, (2) hemp seed protein powder, and (3) hemp seed oil. These three products, which are all from the seed of the hemp plant, contain only trace amounts of extracts like THC and CBD and have been evaluated by the FDA. These three products can be sold as food or added as ingredients to foods and sold in Minnesota.
