The Real Hemp Industry vs. The Corporate Takeover
Minnesota's hemp industry has always been about holistic health, wellness, and giving people an alternative to the toxic vices pushed by Big Liquor and Corporate Cannabis. (I am not talking tobacco shops)
We were never in this game to get people wrecked—we wanted to offer plant-based relief, promote well-being, and support a sustainable industry. But now, the liquor wholesale and cannabis lobbies are trying every trick in the book to shut us down and take over.
Let’s get real—these industries have built their empires on selling poison and addiction. They’re scrambling for control because their business models are outdated and dying. Liquor and beer wholesalers aren’t doing this because they suddenly care about plant medicine—they're doing it to hold on to their fading dominance. This isn’t about love for the hemp plant; it’s just another revenue stream to exploit. They don’t even understand hemp, cannabinoids, or how they interact with the human body. How about we quiz them on how the endocannabinoid system works? Let’s see if they can explain CB1 and CB2 receptors without Googling it first.
The Big Issues Facing Minnesota Hemp Businesses
1. Importation HF100 - Section 342
Minnesota already has a system in place (METRC tracking) to regulate out-of-state hemp coming into the state. But the latest push by regulators forces all hemp companies to go through a "cannabis wholesaler/importer," adding unnecessary barriers and middlemen. This is nothing more than bureaucratic nonsense designed to squeeze small hemp businesses out of the market while letting Big Cannabis import whatever they want without the same restrictions.
2. Liquor Takeover Bill - HF1735
This bill is a straight-up power grab by Minnesota liquor and beer wholesalers. Here’s what they want:
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All hemp-derived beverages must be sold through liquor and beer wholesalers.
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Brands can no longer sell directly to retailers.
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Edibles are also targeted—meaning more roadblocks for small businesses.
Let’s be clear—liquor and beer wholesalers don’t care about plant-based wellness; they care about offsetting their losses as more people ditch alcohol and stop drinking poison. I’m all for allowing liquor distributors to sell products, but they should have zero rights to block the market that started this industry. They are not educated on hemp, yet they want to control it. Their goal isn’t to promote innovation or consumer choice—it’s to maintain their grip on distribution and eliminate competition. And if you think getting out of a liquor distribution contract is easy, think again. It’s harder to escape than a bad marriage.
The Stacked Deck: Additional Restrictions on Hemp Businesses
While the state keeps throwing new obstacles in front of hemp entrepreneurs, marijuana dispensaries are getting a free pass. Check out this ridiculous double standard:
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Tincture Limits: Hemp businesses can't sell tinctures over 250mg of CBD, CBG, CBN, or CBC. Marijuana Rec dispensaries? No limits at all.
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Capsule Ban: Hemp businesses can’t sell cannabinoid capsules—at all. - cannabis businesses (yes)
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Delivery Restrictions: Hemp companies can’t offer same-day delivery or own a cannabis delivery service.
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Manufacturing & Distribution Possible Limits: Minnesota hemp manufacturers:
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May not be able to produce high-milligram products for out-of-state clients.
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May not be able to sell higher-milligram products for direct-to-consumer shipping out of the state.
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Unfair Cannabinoid Caps: Hemp businesses are limited on non-psychoactive cannabinoids. Marijuana businesses? No such cap.
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Hemp Vape Ban: You can buy hemp-derived vapes in marijuana dispensaries, but hemp stores can’t sell them.
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Hemp Flower Sales: Hemp stores are banned from selling CBD and CBG flower—only marijuana dispensaries can.
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THC Edible Limits: Hemp companies are capped at 5mg THC per serving, while marijuana companies can sell hemp-derived edibles at 10mg per serving.
The message is clear: The state is rigging the game in favor of marijuana corporations while shutting out grassroots hemp businesses.
What’s Next?
Minnesota’s hemp industry has always been about wellness, accessibility, and innovation. We’re not here to push people into oblivion—we’re here to offer an alternative. But these new laws and bills are making it nearly impossible for small hemp businesses to survive.
It’s time to fight back.
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Contact your representatives and tell them to oppose HF1735 and the overreach in HF100.
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Support local hemp businesses—buy directly from them whenever possible.
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Hemp Companies Call out the hypocrisy—Liquor and cannabis giants are using the law to eliminate competition because they know they can’t win on a level playing field.
Hemp has always been the underdog in this fight, but we’ve built this industry from the ground up. We’re not backing down now.
