Hellmuth & Johnson Attorneys Carol Moss and Steven Forrest Secure Successful Challenge to OCM Policy on Direct-to-Consumer Hemp Sales
Carol Moss and Steven Forrest are pleased to announce a successful petition against the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) concerning an unpromulgated rule that prohibited hemp businesses from selling lower-potency hemp edibles (LPHE) directly to consumers. In October 2025, OCM published an FAQ stating that hemp edible businesses could not sell or ship LPHE […]
Hellmuth & Johnson’s Carol Moss Discusses Minnesota Hemp Testing Crisis on Fox 9 News
Fox 9 News recently featured Hellmuth & Johnson attorney Carol Moss as a contributor in their coverage of Minnesota’s hemp industry challenges. New testing regulations requiring in-state lab certification are creating bottlenecks for over 6,000 cannabis and hemp businesses. With only three licensed labs, and just two capable of conducting all necessary tests, the industry […]
Hellmuth & Johnson’s Carol Moss on NewsNation: Government Funding Bill Threatens Hemp Industry
On “The Hill on NewsNation,” Hellmuth & Johnson attorney Carol Moss contributed to a discussion about an 11th-hour provision in the government funding bill that could devastate the hemp industry. The measure would ban nearly all hemp-derived THC products—including popular drinks and edibles—that were legalized in the 2018 farm bill. While supporters claim it protects […]
Hellmuth & Johnson’s Carol Moss Comments on Minnesota Cannabis Rollout Challenges
AXIOS Twin Cities featured Cannabis Law attorney Carol Moss from Hellmuth & Johnson in their analysis of Minnesota’s recreational marijuana launch. The article examines the state’s behind-schedule cannabis rollout, recent licensing lotteries, and anticipated summer dispensary openings. Moss commented on the complex challenges facing new cannabis retailers, particularly the competitive dynamics between securing real estate […]
What the heck is going on with OCM and Social Equity Applications?
Things are a bit chaotic in Minnesota’s cannabis industry in regards to social equity applicants (“SEA”), so I want to provide some highlights of where things are today: Last month, approximately ten SEAs, whose applications were rejected by the Office of Cannabis Management’s (“OCM”) pre-approval process, filed lawsuits in district court, trying to get the […]
Court Pauses Office of Cannabis Management’s Lottery for Social Equity Applicants’ License Pre-Approvals
A Ramsey County District judge paused the social equity applicant pre-approval lottery set for tomorrow, November 25, 2024. How did we get here and what’s next? Judge Stephen L. Smith of Ramsey County District Court heard consolidated arguments for three lawsuits involving eight plaintiffs who were verified social equity applicants denied entry into the social […]
Office of Cannabis Management Releases Draft Rules for Public Feedback
The Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”) finally released its draft rules for regulating the cannabis and hemp industry, which can be found on OCM’s website. These are not the proposed rules OCM will submit as part of the formal rule-making process, but rather the precursors to those proposed rules. To get a better sense of […]
Three Major Changes to Hemp-Derived Products Law
The recently passed cannabis omnibus bill incorporated major changes to the laws around recreational cannabis licensing, but it also included significant changes to the law currently regulating the current low-dose, hemp-derived products (Minn. Stat. 151.72 ). Here are three major changes that go into effect io July 1, 2024: The Hot Potato Lands with Office […]