Minnesota Right-to-Know Requirements: What the Cannabis Industry Needs to Know

As Minnesota’s cannabis industry continues to expand, employers are navigating a regulatory landscape that blends traditional workplace safety rules with the unique hazards of cannabis cultivation, processing, and retail operations. Within OCM’s worker safety requirements, is a requirement to comply with Minnesota Employee Right-to-Know (ERTK) Standard, found in Minn. Stat. § 182.653 and Minn. R. 5206.

ERTK applies to you whether you’re a

• grower,

• manufacturer,

• testing lab, or

• dispensary .

Below is a break down of what employers must do to stay compliant and protect their workforce.

Why ERTK Matters in Cannabis Workplaces

Cannabis operations involve a mix of agricultural, chemical, and industrial processes. Employees may be exposed to:

• Fertilizers, pesticides, and nutrient solutions

• Cleaning and sanitation chemicals

• CO₂ enrichment systems

• Solvents used in extraction

• Biological hazards such as mold

• Physical hazards like repetitive motion

ERTK ensures workers understand these hazards and know how to protect themselves. It’s not optional, it's a core requirement of Minnesota OSHA.

Key ERTK Requirements for Cannabis Employers

1. Written ERTK Program (MN OSHA Model Program)

Every cannabis employer must maintain a written program describing:

• How hazardous substances, harmful physical agents, and infectious agents are evaluated

• How training is conducted

• How Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are managed

• How non-routine tasks and new hazards are communicated

• This document must be accessible to employees at all times.

2. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Chemical Inventory

You must maintain SDS for all hazardous chemicals on site, including:

• Isopropyl alcohol

• Butane, propane, or other extraction solvents

• Cleaning agents

• Pesticides and plant nutrients

SDS must be readily accessible, both physical and digital access is acceptable.

3. Employee Training

ERTK training must be:

• Provided before an employee begins work with any hazardous substance or agent

• Repeated annually

• Documented with dates, topics, and trainer information

Training must cover:

• Hazard recognition

• Safe handling and storage

• PPE requirements

• Emergency procedures

• Labeling and SDS use

For cannabis operations, this often includes specialized topics such as CO₂ monitoring, compressed gases, and mold prevention.

4. Labeling Requirements

All containers, primary and secondary, must be labeled with:

• Product identity

• Hazard warnings

• Manufacturer information

Improperly labeled spray bottles, nutrient mixes, or solvent containers are among the most common citations.

5. Non-Routine Tasks & New Hazards

If employees perform tasks outside their normal duties (such as deep cleaning, equipment maintenance, or extraction system troubleshooting) you must provide task-specific hazard training.

When new chemicals or processes are introduced, training must be updated immediately.

ERTK in Cannabis: Common Compliance Gaps

From my work, the most frequent issues include:

• No written ERTK program

• Missing or outdated SDS

• Incomplete or undocumented training

• Secondary containers without labels

These gaps are preventable, and correcting them strengthens both compliance and worker safety.

Bottom Line

ERTK is more than a regulatory checkbox, it’s a foundational safety requirement that protects employees and reduces operational risk. For cannabis businesses, where hazards span multiple disciplines, a robust ERTK program is essential.

Want More Guidance or Support?

If you’d like:

• A customized ERTK program for your cannabis operation

• On-site or virtual employee training

• SDS organization and labeling support

• A compliance audit before OCM or MNOSHA visits

• Updates on evolving cannabis safety regulations

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