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CHRONICLING LEGAL CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA

By Matt DeLong

In this week’s Nuggets: Holiday gift ideas from Minnesota cannabis pros; Minnesota’s hemp rules could offer a model for federal regulation as ban looms; Trump seeks to cut restrictions on marijuana through planned order; prosecutors have brought over 3,500 charges for marijuana possession in cars since legalization; Elk River hits brakes on planned municipal cannabis store; and a congressional report questions whether federal agencies can enforce an intoxicating hemp ban.

Need a holiday gift for the cannabis enthusiast in your life? With the holiday season upon us, we asked a select group of Minnesota cannabis professionals to tell us about some of their favorite weed-themed products and accessories that could also make excellent gifts. They really came through. Here’s what they sent us, organized by price. Descriptions have been lightly edited. 

Under $100

Canvas Dope Kit – $39 from Skunk Bags

These bags are GREAT, locking and smell-proof. As a new mom, something like this is now essential for me. It's also a nicer, classier way to store one’s cannabinoid products.

– Kayla Fearing, owner and health care consultant, Healing Fear Consulting.

Dab Tool – $50 from Ted’s Trees

This would make a great gift for any concentrate user who wants to have a premium tool for enjoying their dabs but may not buy one for themselves. The metal tip is thin enough that the dab melts off cleanly, and the handle is constructed in a way that you can set it on the table without risking dirtying your tool. Small enough to be a stocking stuffer but nice enough to be a thoughtful gift, especially if you customize it with a name or message. And a local Minnesota business!

– Tanner Berris, board of trustees chair, Minnesota Cannabis College.

Freeze Pipe DNA – $84.45 from Freeze Pipe

This is my go-to “wow” piece for people who love flower but hate the cough. The glycerin coils live in your freezer and snap back onto the pipe, so hits come out dramatically cooler and smoother without diluting flavor. It’s a fun upgrade from a basic bowl that feels special enough for a holiday gift, especially for anyone hosting sessions this season.

– Clemon Dabney, CEO of Doctor Dabs Healthy Highs and Strib opinion columnist.

$100-$200

Housecoat smoking jacket – $137 from Houseplant

It’s playful, beautifully made and captures the kind of design-driven, lifestyle-forward approach Seth Rogen’s brand does so well. It’s great to see cannabis culture embracing thoughtful, joyful products — and moving far beyond old stereotypes.

– Dave Schutz, founder/creative director, Ukiyohi (which also offers a range of stylish cannabis accessories).

Uno Vaporizer – $199 from Zenco

One of my new favorite ways to consume besides smoking a joint is with my Zenco vaporizer. It’s so relaxing watching the glass cup fill with vapor, for you to inhale as if you are “drinking” your smoke.  It feels like an instant heightened level of sophistication. I love how easy it is to use with a few different heat settings and it’s super easy to clean. It’s giving classy, with a high! 

– Veronika Alfaro, owner, Mi Sota Essence.

$200+

Electroformed Tube – $274.99 at Frostbite Dispensary

You can't go wrong with a locally blown borosilicate glass bong made on the Iron Range by Cherry Glass. Perfect for that steampunk friend! 

– Josh Wilken-Simon, founder and owner, Legacy Glassworks and Legacy Cannabis.

Crafty+ Vaporizer – $279 from Storz & Bickel

This is the entry level dry-herb vaporizer from Storz & Bickel. You can customize the temperature that you're heating the flower to lock in the high. It's discreet and healthier than packing a bowl and lighting it on fire. They also have a ton of neat accessories on their website to help improve the experience.

– Stephen Eigenmann, founder and CEO, Canna Connect.

Volcano Hybrid Vaporizer – $699 from Storz & Bickel

A premium desktop vaporizer known for its exceptional build quality and clean, precise vapor production — a sophisticated, high-end gift for those with a taste for well-crafted luxury. Its combination of performance, longevity, and understated design makes it a standout choice for anyone who appreciates best-in-class quality.

– Jean-Luc Cinq-Mars, operations manager, Edina Canna.

Minnesota’s hemp rules could offer a model for federal regulation as ban looms: As Minnesota prepares to tighten its rules on hemp-derived THC next month, the state’s already well-regarded hemp framework is drawing renewed national attention — even as a looming federal ban puts it at risk, the Minnesota Star Tribune's Emmy Martin reports. Read more. (Gift link.)

Trump seeks to cut restrictions on marijuana through planned order: “President Donald Trump is expected to push the government to dramatically loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, reducing oversight of the plant and its derivatives to the same level as some common prescription painkillers and other drugs, according to six people familiar with the discussions. … Trump cannot unilaterally reclassify marijuana, said Shane Pennington, a D.C. attorney who represents two pro-rescheduling companies involved in the litigation on the topic. But he can direct the Justice Department to forgo a pending administrative court hearing and issue the final rule, Pennington said,” the Washington Post reports. Read more.

Prosecutors have brought over 3,500 charges for marijuana possession in cars since legalization: “Unsealed cannabis packages must be stored in the trunk just like alcohol, a little-known rule that’s led to more than 1,200 misdemeanor convictions in Minnesota,” reports Max Nesterak for the Minnesota Reformer. Read more.

Related: Check out our explainer about what Minnesotans can and cannot do with marijuana in their vehicles, published back in September 2023.

Congressional report questions whether federal agencies can enforce hemp ban: The Congressional Research Service last week released an analysis of recent changes to the federal definition of hemp and what they mean for federal agencies. Notably, the report said the two agencies most directly tasked with implementing and enforcing the looming prohibition of intoxicating hemp products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), “may lack the resources to broadly enforce the laws prohibiting intoxicating hemp products on the market.”

From the report:

While the change to the hemp definition will seemingly alter the legal status of many hemp products currently available on the market, it remains unclear if and how federal law enforcement will enforce the new prohibitions when the new definition goes into effect. In marijuana's case, the federal response has largely been to allow states to implement their own marijuana laws despite the fact that state-regulated activities may violate the CSA. If intoxicating hemp products persist on the market after the change to their legal status, it is possible they could be subject to the same criminal and collateral issues as marijuana. It also remains to be seen whether FDA will pursue additional options to remove these items from the market. Both FDA and DEA may lack the resources to broadly enforce the laws prohibiting intoxicating hemp products on the market.

For what it’s worth: In a webinar about what the law changes mean for states hosted this week by the Denver-based national cannabis law firm Vicente LLP, attorney Brian Vicente suggested that the federal government is unlikely to prosecute licensed businesses that produce or sell intoxicating hemp-derived products that are legal and regulated under state law, as they are in Minnesota. As of Thursday, the Office of Cannabis Management has licensed 344 lower-potency hemp edible retailers.

Elk River hits brakes on planned municipal cannabis store: “The Elk River City Council has hit the brakes on its plan to open a municipal cannabis store after several members withdrew their support during a Dec. 1 work session,” Jim Boyle reports for the Star News. Read more.

Correction: An error in last week’s edition of Nuggets led to a bit of confusion. In the item headlined “How much recreational weed can Minnesota’s medical cannabis providers grow?,” the second sentence should have read: “The law allows businesses with this license type to grow up to 50% of the square footage (referred to as plant canopy) of medical cannabis they cultivated in the previous year as ADULT-USE cannabis.”

Programming note: Nuggets will take a break for the rest of the year while I visit family out East, but it will return Jan. 2. Thanks to all of you for subscribing and reading this year. I’m looking forward to documenting how Minnesota’s legal cannabis industry (finally!) takes shape in 2026. Happy holidays!

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Thanks once again to Chumbly in Chisholm for sharing this Alien vs. Triangle autoflower from Mephisto Genetics. "A great grow," Chumbly writes. 

Homegrowers, show off your plants! Share your best photo with us by clicking the button below and we'll publish one each week in Nuggets. By submitting a photo you affirm that you own the rights to it and you are granting permission to the Star Tribune to publish it on its platforms.

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Dec. 12 (Fri.): CanRenew Grant Informational and Technical Assistance Session – "The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will host an informational webinar to guide prospective CanRenew grant applicants through the request for proposals process." Virtual, registration required. Noon-1 p.m. More info.

Dec. 13 (Sat.): Christmas at the Brownstone – "Join us for an elevated evening of music, community, and compassion as we close out the ElevateMN Christmas Compassion Toy Drive in style." 5-10 p.m. Brownstone Jazz Club, 1420 W. 28th St., Minneapolis. More info.

Dec. 17 (Wed.): Canna Connect w/ Metrc Panel & Holiday Party – "A panel discussion on seed-to-sale essentials featuring Metrc and how it affects all MN licensees." 5-9 p.m. Steady Pour, 2125 E. Hennepin Av., Suite 205, Minneapolis. More info.

Dec. 21 (Sun.): Light 'Em Up The Bong Show – "A unique and interactive comedy improv experience for Twin City comedy and cannabis fans." 7-10 p.m. Hook and Ladder Theater, 3010 Minnehaha Av., Minneapolis. More info. 

Got questions about cannabis? 

Send them to us and we'll do our best to answer as many as we can in future newsletters.