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A step forward for cannabis businesses hoping to set up shop in Minnesota.
Cannabis business license applications can be submitted starting Tuesday to the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management.
OCM spokesperson Josh Collins says this is a big step for prospective businesses in the state.
“Those are going to be available for both applicants who have been verified as social equity applicants, but also open to all applicants,” explains Collins. “So this really is kind of that first opportunity for general licensing to be available to everybody, and we’re looking forward to hearing from businesses that want to move forward.”
This lottery comes on the heels of a failed social equity lottery in 2024 after a Ramsey County Judge shut down the lottery, saying it was an unfair process and after several lawsuits were filed. The license lottery for social equity applicants was meant to give certain groups such as veterans, residents of high-poverty areas and people negatively affected by cannabis prohibition a head start in the new industry.
State statute limits the amount of licenses available for four difference license types. Those licenses will be awarded through a lottery system set to take place in May/June based on the amount of applications.
Collins says prospective businesses are eager to get this process underway.
“So if you submit all of your information and we find that you meet all of the qualifications and you go through the process of getting local approval, we’ll be looking at licenses being actually available for people right after the rules are formally adopted, which we expect at the end of March,” he says.
The application window closes March 14.
“}]] A big step forward for cannabis businesses hoping to set up shop in Minnesota. Cannabis business license applications can be submitted starting Tuesday to the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management. Read More
