When did Minneapolis legalize weed?

Minneapolis legalized medical marijuana in 2014 and recreational use in 2023. However, the first dispensary licenses weren't granted until 2025, so dispensaries could only begin selling products after this time.

Does Minneapolis have recreational dispensaries?

Yes, there are a small but growing number of recreational dispensaries in Minneapolis, including <a href="https://visitgreengoods.com/locations/minneapolis-mn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Green Goods</a>, <a href="https://sweetleavesnorthloop.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sweet Leaves</a>, <a href="https://wildflower.cc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wildflower</a>, and <a href="https://zazacannabismn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zaza Cannabis Dispensary</a>. Certain Tribal Nations also operate recreational dispensaries on tribal land outside of Minneapolis.

Is weed legal in Minneapolis? Everything to know

Q: Is weed legal in Minneapolis?

Yes, weed is legal in Minneapolis. Cannabis products are legal for both recreational and medical users in Minnesota.

Minneapolis has a growing cannabis industry, especially now that adult-use marijuana is legal throughout the state of Minnesota.

Whether you’re a Minneapolis resident or tourist, stay up to date on cannabis laws and learn where to go to purchase safe, legally compliant, and high-quality products with this guide.

Key takeaways

Legal age: You must be age 21 or older to buy cannabis for recreational use. Medical card holders must be age 18 or older, but they still need to be at least 21 to purchase smokable cannabis.
Purchase limits: Medical patients have no possession limits, while recreational users may possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis in public.
Consumption rules: It’s legal to smoke or vaporize cannabis outdoors in Minneapolis, unless you’re in a smoke-free public outdoor space.
Approved dispensaries: It’s important to purchase your cannabis from a licensed dispensary. Otherwise, you could end up with unsafe or poor-quality products.

Minnesota cannabis laws

Both recreational and medical cannabis use are legal throughout Minnesota.

In August of 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed a bill to legalize recreational cannabis use, allowing adults 21 and older to access marijuana from licensed dispensaries. Medical use of cannabis has been legal in the state since 2014.

Minnesota continues to develop its regulatory framework for cultivators, processors, and dispensaries. In 2025, recreational dispensaries began applying for licenses and slowing opening across the state, including in Minneapolis.

Minnesota’s cannabis laws also honor Tribal Nation sovereignty, meaning Tribal Nations can own and operate cannabis businesses, including dispensaries, on tribal land.

Medical vs. recreational laws

Here are some important legal guidelines to know:

Recreational users may purchase up to 2 ounces of cannabis at a time. They may possess up to 2 ounces in public or 2 pounds in private.
Recreational users may possess up to 8 grams of concentrates and 800 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in edibles. Exceeding these amounts can lead to legal consequences.
Medical card holders have no possession limits.
Both medical and recreational users can grow up to eight plants in their household.

Other laws and things to know

It is illegal to consume cannabis in a moving vehicle. When in transport, cannabis products must be kept in a tamper-proof box out of the reach of the driver and passengers.
Employers in Minnesota may not discriminate against medical card holders during employment or during the job application process. However, you can be fired if you’re intoxicated or engaging in cannabis use while working.
The passing of the Adult-Use Cannabis Act automatically removed a large number of cannabis-related criminal records in Minnesota. As of May 2024, all cannabis-related petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor records, along with felony records that were dismissed or resolved in favor of the defendant, have been expunged.

Cannabis taxes

Upon cannabis legalization in 2023, Minnesota placed a gross receipts tax on cannabis sales of 10%. This was increased to 15% as of May 2025. This tax is in addition to the regular state sales tax of 6.875%.

Medical cannabis sales are exempt from state sales tax. Only recreational cannabis is subject to the cannabis-specific tax.

Cannabis sales on tribal land are exempt from state cannabis taxes, though tribal governments may impose their own taxes or choose not to charge any.

Can you smoke weed in public in Minneapolis?

It’s legal to smoke or otherwise engage in marijuana use in Minneapolis’s public spaces, with the exception of smokable products consumed in spaces protected by the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act, including:

Public parks
Public and private schools
Bars and restaurants, including restaurants with outdoor seating areas

Whether or not you can smoke cannabis in a leased building is up to your landlord. Generally, if smoking on their premises is prohibited, smoking cannabis is, too. This may or may not also apply to outdoor spaces on your landlord’s property.

Event and venue spaces may permit use of certain non-inhalable cannabis products like edibles and tinctures. However, due to the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act, smoking and vaporizing cannabis in indoor public spaces is prohibited, as well as outdoor venue and event spaces. These prohibited spaces include the Minnesota State Fair and the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Smoking marijuana is also forbidden on federal property, as cannabis is illegal under federal law.

Tips for buying cannabis in Minneapolis

Stick to a licensed dispensary: You should only ever buy from licensed cannabis dispensaries. Otherwise, you’re at risk of ending up with low-quality, unsafe, and unregulated products.
Experiment with product types: Don’t be afraid to try out different product types, strains, and potency levels until you find what works for you. In addition to flower, you can explore vaporizers, edibles, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, and more.
Chat with experts: The cannabis industry is evolving fast, and even experienced users may have questions. Seek expert advice from local dispensary staff or book a consultation through Leafwell.
Compare prices: Compare different prices on products at different dispensaries in your area to find good deals.
Keep up with local laws: Minnesota and Minneapolis weed laws are subject to change, so stay on top of them to make sure you’re compliant.
Bring your documentation: Both recreational and medical users need to have their state-issued ID with them to make cannabis purchases. Medical patients must also have their medical card handy.

Dispensaries in Minneapolis

Green Goods (207 S 9th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402): Green Goods carries vaporizers, flower, topicals, edibles, and more, with convenient curbside pick-up for those who place an order online.
Sweet Leaves (905 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401): Sweet Leaves has curated a selection of only premium cannabis products, as well as CBD products for those who prefer hemp.
Wildflower (212 N 2nd St Suite 103, Minneapolis, MN 55401): In addition to carrying many top-shelf strains and a host of cannabis product types, Wildflower strives to educate customers about cannabis through their highly knowledgeable staff.
Zaza Cannabis Dispensary (3617 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN) 55406: Zaza has one of the largest cannabis catalogs in Minneapolis, with flower, vaporizers, topicals, edibles, beverages, CBD products, and more.

Benefits of getting medical cannabis in Minneapolis

Applying for a Minnesota medical marijuana card comes with a number of benefits, even with recreational cannabis being legal:

While recreational cannabis users must be 21 years or older, you can qualify for a medical card at age 18. However, to purchase smokable cannabis, you must be at least 21, even with a medical card.
Medical patients enjoy unlimited purchase limits and access to higher-strength products.
Medical patients can save up to 15% on taxes. The Department of State Revenue applies a 15% cannabis tax to recreational products, but medical cannabis product sales are exempt from state sales tax.

See how much you could save with a medical card

How to get medical marijuana in Minneapolis

The process of getting a medical marijuana card in Minneapolis is simple and starts with finding a doctor who can make a cannabis recommendation.

Finding a doctor

First, you need to find a Minneapolis doctor who can diagnose you with one of the state’s qualifying conditions and provide a recommendation for medical cannabis, which will become part of your application.

You can search for local doctors in your area who make recommendations or you can choose an online medical cannabis telehealth service like Leafwell, where you’ll be connected to a doctor online in minutes. This streamlines the process of obtaining a card, and you never need to leave your home.

Once your doctor gives you a recommendation, you can begin the application process through Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management website. In addition to the recommendation, you’ll need to provide a state-issued photo ID, and pay a small registration fee.

It can take up to 30 days for you to receive your card in the mail once the application has been processed.