Scott County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2025 | MinnesotaStateCannabis.org

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Scott County?

Yes, it is legal in Scott County by virtue of Minnesota Statutes 2022 Chapter 152 Section 152.21 to 152.37 or the Therapeutic Research Act; Medical Cannabis. Under this statute, registered manufacturers are the only entities authorized to cultivate, procure, manufacture, possess, transfer, supply, and dispense medical cannabis and other related supplies. Minnesota had two registered manufacturers in June 2023. However, none operated in Scott County; therefore, no medical cannabis was cultivated there. The medical use of cannabis is also guided by the Minnesota Administrative Rules Chapter 4770.

Registered manufacturers may not operate within 1,000 feet of schools. Cultivation may only be done in the enclosed, locked facility at the physical address provided during registration. They must have operating documents related to procedures for oversight, recordkeeping, appropriate security measures, cultivation methods, and delivery or transport of hemp. Real-time inventory of plants growing at the cultivation center must be maintained in addition to the number of plant materials and medical cannabis on hand. All medical cannabis produced by the manufacturer must be tested for content, contamination, and consistency by an independent testing laboratory.

Adult use of cannabis became lawful in August 2023 after the House and Senate passed HF 100 in April 2023. New types of licenses for cannabis establishments will be granted once the new Office of Cannabis Management has established the necessary regulatory framework and timeline. Residents aged 21 or older with a cultivation license can cultivate four mature and four immature cannabis plants in an enclosed, locked space not visible to the public. A total of two pounds of cannabis flower may be stored per residence.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Scott County?

Scott County permits the manufacturing of medical cannabis following state laws and regulations. However, no registered manufacturer operated in the county as of June 2023.

Medical marijuana may be manufactured into pills, liquids, topicals, water-solubles, orally-dissolvable products, or infused edibles like gummies or chews. Hydrocarbon-based extraction using butane, hexane, and alcohols is strictly prohibited unless approved by the Commissioner of Health.

Product packaging must comply with the United States Poison Prevention Packaging Act. It must be plain, child-resistant, and tamper-evident. Moreover, packaging must maximize the product’s shelf life and not resemble any commercially available product.

Products must be labeled appropriately before reaching the patient. It must contain details of the patient and manufacturer, chemical composition, recommended dosage, instructions for use, a list of ingredients, manufacturing date, batch number, and warning statements. Using false or misleading information regarding health or benefits to health is strictly prohibited.

All processes related to the manufacture of medical marijuana must also be done in an enclosed, locked space as mandated by the state.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Scott County?

Yes, medical cannabis retail in the form of flowers, pre-rolls, vaporizers, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, and topicals is lawful in Scott County. Although no dispensary operated in the county as of June 2023, registered patients and designated caregivers may purchase from dispensaries in Blaine, Bloomington, Burnsville, Duluth/Hermantown, Eagan, Hibbing, Mankato, Minneapolis, Moorhead, New Hope, Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Paul, Willmar, and Woodbury.

Only licensed pharmacists are authorized to dispense medical marijuana to patients and caregivers with a valid registration in the Medical Cannabis Program. The pharmacist is responsible for consulting with the patient and determining the recommended daily dosage dose equivalent to a 90-day supply. However, purchasing limit is set by the state to a 30-day supply. Pharmacists must ensure that the amount purchased in 23 days will not exceed the patient’s 30-day supply. A valid government-issued photo ID must be presented when purchasing from dispensaries.

In August 2023, Scott County residents aged 21 and above may possess or transport two ounces of cannabis flower, eight grams of concentrate, and 800 milligrams of edibles. The retail sale of adult-use marijuana will only commence by the first quarter of 2025.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Scott County?

No, it is unlawful. Scott County adheres to state laws and regulations which prohibit the delivery of medical cannabis to registered patients and designated caregivers. Chapter 4770 explicitly states that registered manufacturers may not sell, distribute, deliver, and transport medical cannabis from any location except its distribution facility.

Per Section 152.21 to 152.37, medical cannabis may be distributed to a registered patient or designated caregiver who remains in a motor vehicle if:

• The patient has consulted with the licensed pharmacist.
• The payment is received, and medical cannabis is distributed in a designated zone near the dispensary’s main entrance.
• The designated area is equipped with surveillance cameras and security measures.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Scott County

Scott County residents certified to have one of the qualifying medical conditions may register in Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program. The list of conditions includes Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, cancer, chronic motor or vocal tic disorder, chronic pain, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, intractable pain, obstructive sleep apnea, Post-traumatic stress disorder, seizures, multiple sclerosis, sickle cell disease, terminal illness with less than a year of life expectancy, and Tourette syndrome. Additionally, irritable bowel syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder will be included by August 2023.

The patient’s medical condition must be certified online in the Medical Cannabis Registry. After the consultation, patients will receive a unique online enrollment link for the Medical Cannabis Registry through the email address they provided to their healthcare practitioner. Patients must follow this enrollment link to continue their enrollment in the program. Applications will be processed for up to 30 days upon paying the annual enrollment fee online.

The state does not provide physical medical marijuana cards to successful applicants. In place of this, patients may access their Medical Cannabis Registry account when visiting dispensaries.

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Scott County?

Medical cannabis is not taxed by Scott County, following state laws and regulations. On the other hand, adult-use cannabis will be imposed a 10% tax on top of the standard state and local sales tax rates once available.

Statewide, the number of patients approved in the registry had grown from 837 in 2015 to 40,345 in the First Quarter of 2023. Scott County recorded 1,975 patients in March 2023. In line with this, medical cannabis dispensary visits increased from 19,727 in October 2021 to 44,382 in March 2023.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Scott County

In compliance with the State of Minnesota, Scott County allowed the medical use of cannabis in May 2014. However, medical cannabis products became available in the state only a year later.

Comparing the data submitted by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office on the FBI Crime Data Explorer from 2013 to 2021, crime rates related to marijuana in the county had generally decreased.

Arrests related to marijuana possession were 28 in 2013, 46 in 2014, 55 in 2015, 50 in 2016, 8 in 2017, 21 in 2018, 33 in 2019, 13 in 2020, and 9 in 2021. Meanwhile, arrests related to marijuana sales were 30 in 2013, 9 in 2014, 3 in 2015, 1 in 2016 to 2018, 2 in 2019, and 1 in 2020 to 2021.