THC Minnesota THCMinnesota
Sign Up
⭐ Milestone ★ Landmark Event: Apr 9, 1976 · Published: Mar 28, 2026

Minnesota Decriminalizes Small Cannabis Possession

Minnesota reduced the penalty for possession of 42.5 grams (1.5 ounces) or less of cannabis to a petty misdemeanor with a maximum $200 fine. Minnesota became one of the first states to take this step during a brief national decriminalization wave.

During a short-lived national wave of marijuana decriminalization in the mid-1970s, the Minnesota Legislature reduced small-quantity possession from a criminal offense to a petty misdemeanor. Possession of 42.5 grams or less carried a maximum fine of $200, with no jail time. This made Minnesota one of approximately 11 states to decriminalize cannabis possession during this era.

Filed under Milestone in THC Minnesota's coverage of Minnesota's cannabis and hemp market.

📄

Source Attribution

This summary was compiled from information published by Historical Archive. All facts and statements reflect the original source material. For complete details, refer to the original publication.

Related Updates

Stay current on Minnesota cannabis

Browse more milestone updates, the full news feed, or the Minnesota cannabis timeline. Compare products across licensed dispensaries and read our consumer guides.