Minnesota Study Finds Underage Hemp Shoppers Often Not Carded

About one-third of underage shoppers participating in a University of
Minnesota Cannabis Research Center study went uncarded when attempting to
purchase hemp edibles or beverages in the Twin Cities area, Minn Post
reports.

The study found that participants were not asked to show ID and verify they
were at least 21 years old about 34% of the time.

Minnesota state law allows for the sale of hemp-derived THC products
without stipulating licensing requirements, which means hemp products can
appear in a variety of businesses, including coffee shops, bike shops,
arcades, and hardware stores.

The study authors noted that certain retailers were more likely to check
for ID than others, especially those that sold other age-restricted items,
like bars or liquor stores. Meanwhile, shops like hardware stores, hair
salons, bakeries, and other places where age-restricted item sales are not
commonplace were the least likely to request ID for an intoxicating hemp
purchase — about 61% of such businesses sold hemp products to the study
participants without requesting ID.

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) called the findings
“especially timely” as regulators move to adopt stricter rules.

“As hemp-derived THC and cannabis markets continue to mature, OCM is glad
to work with partners like the CRC, local governments, the Legislature, and
cannabis and hemp business owners to make sure that these products stay out
of the hands of underage individuals.” — OCM statement, via Minn Post

The authors also noted that the study only investigated the Twin Cities
area and is not representative of the entire state.