Up In Smoke: Minnesota Lawmaker Says Marijuana Sales Likely Delayed Until 2026

Minnesota is on a very slow road to see the realization of legal marijuana dispensaries opening in the state, one lawmaker is now predicting a much longer wait than originally anticipated.

Since 2014, and the passage of medical marijuana use in Minnesota, the state has experienced many ups and downs on the road to full recreational use and sales in the state, and the final stretch of this long road is proving to be much longer than everyone thought.

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A Long, Slow Road for Marijuana Sales in Minnesota

Recreational marijuana officially became legal in Minnesota on August 1st, 2023, but it's now 2025, and the state is still struggling to get the regulations and structure in place to allow for retail sales, and one lawmaker is saying that it could be delayed until 2026.

Minnesota lawmaker Sen. Mark Koran from North Branch is one of the key people in the creation of the state's marijuana program, he sat down with KSTP-TV and what he had to say is a total buzzkill for those looking forward to retail marijuana sales starting in 2025.

A Minnesota Judge's Ruling Slows the Process

Koran said the due to a recent judicial ruling, lawmakers will need to approve rules and polices before licenses can get issued to growers and sellers.

Koran says that if lawmakers can't get this done before March, which is unlikely, that retail sales will be delayed another year.

Marijuana Sales Delayed in Minnesota Until 2026?

“I think it’s fair to say that we’re not looking at doors opening until the beginning of 2026,” Koran said. The problem is, an entire supply chain needs to be created, from growers to sellers, and all that takes time from buying land to grow on, to getting building and other inspections before sales can start.