Senate approves extension allowing out‑of‑state testing for low‑dose hemp edibles through May 2027

The Minnesota Senate passed House File 3615 March 23, approving an extension that allows low‑dose hemp edibles to continue to be tested in out‑of‑state laboratories through May 2027. The chamber recorded 41 aye votes and 26 nay votes on final passage.

A presenter urged support for the bill, saying the state’s laboratory capacity remains limited after adult‑use cannabis was legalized in 2024 and that two fully functional state labs are currently available with more planned. "This bill allows low dose hemp edibles to continue to be tested out of state through May 2027," the presenter said, adding that continuing the temporary allowance is necessary to avoid a backlog that is delaying access to medically important products, including pediatric formulations for epilepsy.

The presenter said the extension had passed the other body with broad bipartisan support and that regulators had temporarily extended the out‑of‑state testing deadline to March 31, 2026, to give the Legislature time to act. The stated goal on the floor was to secure final passage and have the governor sign the bill before the regulatory deadline.

There was no additional floor debate recorded in the provided segment before the roll call. The secretary announced the result: 41 ayes, 26 nays, and the bill passed on final reading. The bill’s enactment will keep testing provisions in place until May 2027 to give the market and state labs more time to expand capacity.