Not every business that offers cannabis transport in Minnesota is equally equipped to handle it. Here is how to evaluate transport companies before you commit to one. For the full compliance framework cultivators need to understand, read our Minnesota Cannabis Cultivator’s Complete Guide.
1. Verify the License First, Before Everything Else
Before any conversation about pricing, scheduling, or services, ask for the company’s OCM license number and verify it. A licensed transporter will provide this without hesitation. If they resist, deflect, or can’t immediately tell you their license number, do not work with them.
2. Ask Specifically About the Two-Person Requirement
Minnesota requires two people in a cannabis transport vehicle on every run. Some transport companies comply on regulated routes and quietly skip it on others. Ask directly: ‘Do you use a two-person team on every run, without exceptions?’ Listen for any hedging in the answer.
3. Evaluate Their Metrc Knowledge
A transport company that handles Minnesota cannabis transport should speak fluently about Metrc. They should be able to explain how they verify manifests at pickup, handle discrepancies, enter departure and arrival information, and ensure manifests are closed promptly after delivery. Vague answers about Metrc indicate vague actual practice.
4. Confirm Their Geographic Coverage
Many cannabis transport companies in Minnesota primarily serve the Twin Cities metro. If your cultivation facility is in Brainerd, Fergus Falls, East Grand Forks, or other outstate locations, confirm the company genuinely serves your area — not just says they do. Ask how often they run routes from your specific location and what their standard pickup windows are. You can also verify coverage on our Minnesota cannabis transport locations page.
5. Ask About Their Records and Documentation Practices
A professional transport partner maintains records of every run — manifests, departure times, delivery confirmations, signed handoffs — and retains them for years. Ask how you would access records if needed for a compliance inquiry or audit.
6. Check Insurance and Bonding
Ask whether they carry cannabis-specific transport insurance and bonding. General commercial vehicle insurance typically does not cover cannabis. This is a significant coverage gap if they cannot confirm appropriate cannabis transport insurance.
7. Evaluate Communication Standards
Your transport partner should communicate proactively. You should receive confirmation when a run is booked, notification when the vehicle is en route to you, and confirmation when delivery is complete. If you’re consistently calling them for updates rather than receiving updates proactively, that is not a professional operation.
8. No Onboarding Fee Should Be Required
Established, professional cannabis transport companies in Minnesota do not charge onboarding fees to start working with a new licensed operator.
Going Green Transport meets every standard on this list. We are fully licensed with the OCM, operate two-person teams on every run, manage Metrc manifests correctly from pickup to delivery, serve all of Minnesota including outstate routes, and charge zero onboarding fees.
