Minneapolis Moves to Ban Cannabis Use in City Parks

17 April 2025

As Minnesota moves toward launching legal cannabis sales, the city of Minneapolis is taking steps to regulate public use. On April 17, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) advanced a policy to ban the smoking and vaping of cannabis in all city parks. A final vote is expected in early May.

Details

What the Policy Would Do

• Ban smoking and vaping of cannabis in all Minneapolis parks
• Allow low-dose THC edibles and beverages (5mg or less) at licensed events and vendors
• Extend existing tobacco-use rules to cover cannabis use

How It Will Be Enforced

• No criminal charges or fines
• Park staff and park police will issue verbal warnings or ask individuals to leave if they don’t comply
• Designed to avoid punitive measures while maintaining safe, clean park spaces

Why Minneapolis Is Acting Now

Minnesota legalized adult-use cannabis in 2023, adding to its already legal medical cannabis in Minnesota program. The state plans to issue its first recreational retail licenses in May 2025, but product sales won’t begin until later this year after cultivation is complete. The city’s proposal is part of a broader effort to manage cannabis use in public while the state market develops.

Key Concerns Behind the Ban

• Public health: Reduce exposure to secondhand smoke in parks used by families and children
• Consistency: Apply the same rules already used for tobacco
• Equity: Avoid penalties that could disproportionately affect communities of color and immigrants

Who Will Be Affected

Cannabis Consumers Those using either adult-use or medical cannabis in Minnesota must follow local public use restrictions. Cannabis can still be used legally in private spaces, but public smoking or vaping in parks would no longer be allowed.

Cannabis Businesses Companies focusing on low-dose THC edibles and beverages may benefit from permitted sales at city-licensed events and vendors in parks.

Event Organizers and Vendors May continue to apply for licenses to sell legal THC products during public events, as long as they meet product and dosage guidelines.

What Comes Next?

The MPRB will take a final vote in early May. If approved, the smoking ban would take effect shortly after, likely ahead of Minnesota’s full cannabis retail rollout. Other cities across the state may look to Minneapolis as a model for how to regulate cannabis use in shared public spaces.