As a Cannabis License holder in Minnesota, can I give cannabis to customers, vets, and employees?

Minnesota cannabis license holders are heavily restricted when it comes to gift-giving of cannabis or cannabis products to customers, veterans, and employees. Gifting is permitted under limited, specific circumstances:

Gift-Giving to Customers

• Only private individuals may legally gift up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower or legal equivalents to another person 21+ years old, provided there is no exchange of money or other goods/services—true gifts only.knutsoncasey+2​

• Businesses (including license holders) and their representatives cannot provide gifts or promotional samples of cannabis to customers, even if no payment is received. Using gifts as incentives with products, services, or in connection to sales or promotions is expressly prohibited by law.reddit+1​

• The law is very clear that “gifting” cannabis as a marketing tool, bonus, or incentive (e.g., “free joint with purchase”) is not allowed for license holders.govdelivery+1​

Gift-Giving to Veterans

• Veterans may qualify for social equity licensing provisions, but there are no special rules enabling license holders to gift cannabis to veterans outside the strict limitations mentioned above.mjbizdaily+1​

• Cannabis cannot be gifted to veterans as part of business promotional activity or sales, even if framed as honoring or supporting veterans.govdelivery​

• Veterans participating in medical cannabis may acquire products only through medical cannabis retailers in accordance with medical cannabis rules, not via business gifts.revisor.mn+1​

Gift-Giving to Employees

• License holders are not permitted to gift cannabis products to employees as a benefit, incentive, or bonus; all employee-related cannabis handling must follow worker regulations and not personal gifting allowances.revisor.mn+1​

• Any “gifting” under the employer-employee relationship (including as a holiday bonus or incentive) would not qualify as a legal, uncompensated personal gift.

Key Takeaways for License Holders

• Gift-giving of cannabis by businesses—whether to customers, employees, or specific groups such as veterans—is not permitted as a marketing, promotional, or compensation practice.reddit+1​

• Private individuals can gift cannabis in personal, uncompensated contexts, but licensed entities cannot do so as part of their professional or commercial operations.arechigo-stokka+2​

Violating these rules may result in disciplinary actions or criminal liability for license holders. Always consult the latest OCM regulations and legal counsel for compliance confirmation.

REFERENCE LISTING:

1. https://knutsoncasey.com/minnesota-signs-marijuana-legalization-bill-into-law-what-you-need-to-know/

2. https://arechigo-stokka.com/blog/cannabis-products-what-is-legal-minnesota/

3. https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/breaking-down-the-dos-and-donts-of-legal-cannabis-in-minnesota/

4. https://www.reddit.com/r/TwinCities/comments/1h52n7y/cannabis_gifting_laws_clarification/

5. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNOCM/bulletins/3dc9e3b

6. https://mjbizdaily.com/military-veterans-included-in-minnesotas-social-equity-cannabis-law/

7. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/342/full

8. https://www.dav.org/get-help-now/veteran-topics-resources/medical-cannabis/

9. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/9810/full

10. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/342.09

11. https://www.mpp.org/states/minnesota/minnesota-legalization-law-2023-detailed-summary/

12. https://www.naag.org/state-gift-laws/minnesota-gift-statutes/

13. https://www.covasoftware.com/us-dispensary-laws/minnesota

14. https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/resources/MN-County-Cannabis-MO.pdf

15. https://mn.gov/ocm/lgg

16. https://www.publichealth.va.gov/marijuana.asp

17. https://cannabisriskmanager.com/newpost/understanding-the-rules-legal-cannabis-etiquette-in-minnesota/

18. https://visitgreengoods.com/learn/veterans-and-cannabis/

19. https://cannabisindustrylawyer.com/minnesota-cannabis-laws-2024/

20. https://www.treez.io/blog/cannabis-business-laws-for-minnesota