A Quiet Cannabis Revolution, Led by Minnesota’s Cities
In the heart of the Midwest, a cannabis revolution is quietly unfolding—and it’s being led not by dispensaries, but by city-owned liquor stores.
Minnesota is home to hundreds of municipally owned beverage stores—a model virtually unique in the U.S.—and now, several of those cities are stepping into the cannabis space through legal, hemp-derived THC products. Leading the charge is Nothing But Hemp, LLC, a Minnesota-based cannabinoid manufacturer and brand developer specializing in compliant, low-dose THC edibles and beverages.
Through its partnership with the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association (MMBA), Nothing But Hemp has launched a first-of-its-kind private-label platform called MuniSota, tailored for the state’s municipal liquor outlets. But even more trailblazing? Cities like Eden Prairie, which worked directly with Nothing But Hemp to create a fully customized, city-branded THC gummy—a bold leap in local cannabis branding.
MuniSota: A Shared THC Platform for City-Owned Liquor Stores
Minnesota’s 200+ city-owned liquor stores represent a trusted, regulated retail channel. Seeing the opportunity to help cities participate in the hemp-derived cannabinoid market, Nothing But Hemp created MuniSota—a standardized private-label edible and beverage line built exclusively for MMBA members.
MuniSota provides MMBA cities with:
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State-compliant hemp-derived THC gummies and seltzers
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Customizable labels and co-branded packaging
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Consistent formulations using Minnesota-grown hemp
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Comprehensive quality testing and regulatory compliance
This offering gives cities the ability to introduce low-dose, approachable, legally compliant products to their adult customers—without having to build a cannabis operation from scratch.
Eden Prairie: A Fully Custom THC Gummy, Just for One City
While MuniSota is available to all MMBA members, Eden Prairie went even further. The city partnered directly with Nothing But Hemp to develop its own private-label THC gummy, separate from the MuniSota line.
This product was developed with:
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A custom terpene formulation
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Branded packaging tailored to the city’s vision
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Full public engagement—Eden Prairie invited residents to submit names for the new gummy in a city-wide naming contest
This level of involvement sets Eden Prairie apart: it’s not just stocking THC products—it’s owning the brand experience, from product development to civic promotion. Their efforts were even spotlighted in Marijuana Moment, a national cannabis policy publication, which noted that Eden Prairie’s product could “serve as a model for local governments looking to embrace marijuana reform responsibly.”
Education Through Innovation: An LMS for Retail Staff
One of the most transformative tools Nothing But Hemp offers isn’t found in a jar or bottle—it’s digital, and it’s empowering.
To support the success of its municipal retail partners (and not just private-label clients), Nothing But Hemp offers an in-house Learning Management System (LMS). This platform helps municipal staff:
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Understand key cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, and more)
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Learn proper THC dosing guidance and compliance protocols
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Recognize the differences between strain types and terpene profiles
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Respond to consumer questions accurately and confidently
This LMS ensures that employees at hundreds of city-owned liquor stores can educate consumers safely and confidently—fostering trust and minimizing risk while building long-term loyalty.
This is not a requirement of the private-label program, nor is it limited to MuniSota partners. Any retail partner of Nothing But Hemp—from MMBA stores to independent retailers—has access to this robust training resource.
Built for Minnesota's Laws: Low-Dose, High-Trust THC
In 2022, Minnesota made headlines when it quietly passed legislation allowing the sale of hemp-derived edibles containing up to 5mg of THC per serving and 50mg per package. Though recreational marijuana was legalized in 2023, the hemp-derived THC market remains the most accessible pathway for cities looking to offer compliant cannabis products right now.
All of Nothing But Hemp’s formulations are:
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Compliant with state and federal hemp laws (Farm Bill-compliant ≤0.3% THC by dry weight)
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Third-party lab tested
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Manufactured in Minnesota-licensed facilities
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Accompanied by COAs (Certificates of Analysis) for full transparency
Their products emphasize microdosing, an increasingly popular method for consumers looking to enjoy THC without overwhelming effects. Popular offerings include:
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Split-dose gummies (2.5mg or 5mg per half)
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Strain-inspired terpene profiles (Sativa, Indica, Hybrid)
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THC beverages with subtle onset and fast absorption
Why City-Owned Stores Are the Perfect THC Partners
Minnesota’s municipal stores have long served as pillars of responsible alcohol sales, and now they’re bringing that same framework to cannabis. Through Nothing But Hemp, city-owned liquor stores gain access to a controlled, reliable supply chain, backed by rigorous testing and real-time compliance updates.
Here’s what makes this model work:
Benefit | Description |
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Trust | Residents are more comfortable buying THC from their city’s own store |
Revenue | New, regulated product lines generate additional municipal income |
Control | Cities decide which products, branding, and education tools to use |
Safety | All products are tested, labeled, and dose-controlled |
Speaking Up: Education and Leadership Through MMBA
Nothing But Hemp isn’t just supplying products—they’re shaping the conversation.
Over the past year, the company has spoken at several MMBA events, educating city officials and retail managers on:
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The legal landscape of hemp-derived THC
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The difference between hemp and marijuana products
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Proper labeling, marketing, and in-store protocols
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Trends in consumer preferences (e.g. gummies, beverages, terpene blends)
These presentations have helped municipal teams feel confident in selling cannabis-derived products and helped set industry standards across the state.
What’s Next: A Cannabis Model Built on Community
Eden Prairie’s custom gummy is just the beginning. With over 200 municipal liquor stores in Minnesota, more cities are expected to either:
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Join the MuniSota platform to carry co-branded edibles and drinks
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Work directly with Nothing But Hemp on exclusive private-label products
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Train their teams using the Nothing But Hemp LMS
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Host their own community-facing initiatives, such as naming contests, educational events, or “mocktail” tasting parties
Nothing But Hemp’s vision is rooted in collaboration, compliance, and community engagement—creating a model where cities aren’t just resellers of cannabis products, but stewards of public health and innovation.
Conclusion: Leading a New Path for Local Cannabis
By helping cities like Eden Prairie develop their own cannabis gummies—and equipping MMBA members statewide with MuniSota products—Nothing But Hemp is reshaping how governments interact with cannabis.
It’s not about flash or hype. It’s about:
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Legal compliance
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Low-dose, approachable products
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Consumer trust through transparency
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Education that empowers retail teams
In short, it’s about municipal control of responsible cannabis commerce.
Get Involved: For Cities and Retailers
If you represent a municipal liquor store—or any retail location in Minnesota—you can tap into the same tools that Eden Prairie and MMBA members are using:
✅ White-labeled THC gummies and beverages
✅ Turnkey product development and design
✅ Access to our in-house LMS education portal
✅ Dedicated account support for compliance and merchandising
Reach out to Nothing But Hemp to schedule a consultation, product tasting, or LMS demo. The next wave of cannabis is community-owned—and it starts right here in Minnesota.