Minnesota’s Cannabis Licensing Process: Key Updates and Next Steps

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has announced significant updates to the state’s cannabis licensing process, following a court's decision to delay the preapproval lottery. With this ruling, OCM has decided to end the preapproval process and proceed with a standard licensing cycle for both social equity and general applicants, slated to open in early 2025. This move is aimed at avoiding further delays in the market launch while still preserving benefits for social equity applicants.

In line with the 2024 cannabis law, which emphasized ensuring social equity applicants are market-ready, OCM is now focusing on a licensing cycle that includes lotteries for specific license types. Affected applicants from the preapproval process will be automatically considered in this new round, with those in the social equity category entering a specialized lottery.

Key Dates and Steps:

• Jan 15, 2025: Window opens for social equity applicants to begin verification.
• Feb 18, 2025: OCM will begin accepting applications for both social equity and general applicants.

For those who were previously denied in the preapproval process, they will have the chance to correct their applications and continue through the new cycle. This transition offers an important opportunity to ensure that Minnesota’s cannabis market is both fair and successful.

Why 846 Collective is Poised to Support Cannabis Businesses: As Minnesota moves closer to launching its cannabis market, businesses will face new challenges navigating the licensing process. 846 Collective, with its deep expertise in the cannabis industry and commitment to fostering equity, is uniquely positioned to help companies understand regulatory requirements and secure licenses. Whether you're a new entrant or an experienced operator, our team is ready to support you through every step of the application process, ensuring your business thrives in Minnesota’s emerging cannabis market.

Why the Move to Open the Lottery to Both Social Equity and General Applicants Is a Positive Step: OCM's decision to move forward with a standard licensing cycle, allowing both social equity and general applicants to participate in the lottery, is a positive shift and good news for Minnesotans who want an adult-use market in the near future. It ensures that social equity applicants, who were initially prioritized, still have the opportunity to succeed, while also allowing general applicants to enter the market. The fact of the matter is the court's ruling has potential to cause a significant delay in Minnesota's adult-use rollout, and moving forward with the standard licensing cycle puts the program somewhat back on track. 

Contact 846 Collective today to learn how we can help you succeed in the next licensing cycle.