169A.36 OPEN PACKAGE LAW.
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/mn/chapter-169/169a-36A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
169A.36 OPEN PACKAGE LAW.
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Subdivision 1. Definitions.
As used in this section:
(1)"motor vehicle" does not include motorboats in operation or off-road recreational vehicles except while operated on a roadway or shoulder of a roadway that is not part of a grant-in-aid trail or trail designated for that vehicle by the commissioner of natural resources; and
(2)"possession" means either that the person had actual possession of the package or that the person consciously exercised dominion and control over the package.
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Subd. 2. Use; crime described.
It is a crime for a person to use cannabis flower, a cannabis product, a lower-potency hemp edible, a hemp-derived consumer product, or any other product containing an artificially derived cannabinoid in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is on a street or highway.
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Subd. 3. Possession; crime described.
It is a crime for a person to have in possession, while in a private motor vehicle on a street or highway, any cannabis flower, a cannabis product, a lower-potency hemp edible, a hemp-derived consumer product, or any other product containing an artificially derived cannabinoid that:
(1)is in packaging or another container that does not comply with the relevant packaging requirements in chapter 152 or 342;
(2)has been removed from the packaging in which it was sold;
(3)is in packaging that has been opened or the seal has been broken; or
(4)is in packaging of which the contents have been partially removed.
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Subd. 4. Liability of nonpresent owner; crime described.
It is a crime for the owner of any private motor vehicle or the driver, if the owner is not present in the motor vehicle, to keep or allow to be kept in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is on a street or highway any cannabis flower, a cannabis product, a lower-potency hemp edible, a hemp-derived consumer product, or any other product containing an artificially derived cannabinoid that:
(1)is in packaging or another container that does not comply with the relevant packaging requirements in chapter 152 or 342;
(2)has been removed from the packaging in which it was sold;
(3)is in packaging that has been opened or the seal has been broken; or
(4)is in packaging of which the contents have been partially removed.
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Subd. 5. Criminal penalty.
A person who violates subdivision 2, 3, or 4 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
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Subd. 6. Exceptions.
(a)This section does not prohibit the possession or consumption of cannabis flower, a cannabis product, a lower-potency hemp edible, a hemp-derived consumer product, or any other product containing an artificially derived cannabinoid by passengers in:
(1)a bus that is operated by a motor carrier of passengers as defined in section 221.012 , subdivision 26;
(2)a vehicle that is operated for commercial purposes in a manner similar to a bicycle as defined in section 169.011, subdivision 4 , with five or more passengers who provide pedal power to the drive train of the vehicle; or
(3)a vehicle providing limousine service as defined in section 221.84, subdivision 1 .
(b)Subdivisions 3 and 4 do not apply to:
(1)a package that is in the trunk of the vehicle if the vehicle is equipped with a trunk; or
(2)a package that is in another area of the vehicle not normally occupied by the driver and passengers if the vehicle is not equipped with a trunk. A utility compartment or glove compartment is deemed to be within the area occupied by the driver and passengers.