THC Edibles Chaos In MN: No Taxes No Enforcement

[orthene]

https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/08/28586943/thc-edibles-chaos-in-mn-no-taxes-no-enforcement-nm-barely-keeps-up-with-demand-more-marijuana-up

Minnesota Struggles To Regulate THC Market
In May, Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed the large-scale legislation that included provisions that provide permanent protections to Minnesota-based hemp businesses for legal sales of CBD-infused foods and drinks. Besides CBD, the measure allows all hemp-derived cannabinoids to be legally sold in food items, beverages, and topicals, to name a few. The products must contain less than the federal limit of 0.3 % THC.

The new bill also allows up to 5 mg of hemp-derived THC to be legally sold in edibles and drinks to those 21 and older.

While the Board of Pharmacy was tasked with regulating cannabis edibles products, its new executive director Jill Phillips expressed concern at the time that the board may not be ready for it.

One of the problems? The new THC law doesn’t demand a license to produce, distribute or sell the THC edibles and drinks, writes the outlet. The Board of Pharmacy employs just 23 people, and they also handle dangerous legal opioids and other substances. And now, they should also handle the potency, packaging, and age requirements of the new THC products that are sold all around.

Furthermore, the Board of Pharmacy does not have a lab to test the potency or safety of the product, nor a contract with a laboratory. Producers must contract with a lab and keep a record by they are not obliged to send the results to the Board of Pharmacy except upon request, Phillips said at the time.

Another important problem: taxes. These products are being sold as food, and therefore are not taxed. This means that no tax money is used for better regulations or education on the safe and responsible consumption of these products.

According to a new report from Star Tribune, things are already a bit chaotic, as some worried, it might be. In addition to legal marijuana edibles, many stores offer highly potent delta-8 vapes, gummies and flower, which are illegal under state law.

"The enforcement is almost non-existent," Jason Tarasek with Minnesota Cannabis Law said at a conference last week. "We need a seed-to-sale tracking system. We need licensing. We need to do this so that consumers are protected."

The Star Tribune highlighted some violations such as delta-8 products, edibles with twice the legal dose of THC, and products without appropriate labels.

"I don't think any of the law enforcement associations were consulted with, or really made aware of, this legislation," said Jeff Potts, executive director of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association.

Kandiyohi County Sheriff Eric Holien is now urging cities in his county to temporarily regulate who can sell these products until the state provides a broader regulation.

[jones]

5MG? I can't even get high on less than 20mg

[orthene]

Minnesota has a very low tolerance level. Minnesota can't handle its weed.