| The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will open the cannabis license preapproval process for social equity applicants this summer. This initiative is part of the state’s commitment to building a fair and inclusive cannabis industry.
Recently enacted changes to Minnesota’s cannabis law included the licensing preapproval and vetted lottery process for qualified social equity applicants. The first step is for applicants to go through a verification process to ensure they meet qualifications for social equity status. Those verified as a social equity applicant will be able to submit an application for license preapproval. Submitted applications will go through a review and vetting process, and if qualified, be entered into a lottery. Applicants will complete the verification and preapproval process via OCM’s website. Plans for the first lottery will be announced soon.
SEA VERIFICATION TIMELINE
SEA LICENSE PREAPPROVAL APPLICATION TIMELINE
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Attend the Social Equity Verification Workshop
OCM will host a workshop to provide social equity applicants training on how to complete the social equity verification process. A separate workshop is planned for the license preapproval process.
For applicants who cannot attend the workshop, OCM will post a training video on its website that guides people through the verification process.
DETAILS
Date/time: Friday, June 21, 4-6 p.m.
Location: Sabathani Community Center Auditorium
310 E 38th St Ste 200
Minneapolis, MN 55409
Registration is strongly encouraged. Deadline to complete registration is noon on Friday, June 21.
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ALSO
OCM Staff Updates
Welcome to these new OCM employeesThese employees started in May: Tiara Brown, deputy general counsel Tiara joined OCM from Minneapolis Public Schools, where she served as equal opportunity associate and Title IX coordinator. Prior to that role, Tiara was civil rights investigator for the City of Minneapolis. Claire Cavanagh, law student worker Claire is a student at the University of Minnesota Law School. Josh Collins, communications director Josh Collins has previously served in communications roles for the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Ramsey County, and several public school districts. Chris Elvrum, chief operating officer Chris came to OCM from the Minnesota Department of Health, where he served as assistant director of the Office of Medical Cannabis. Joshua Fuller, law student worker Joshua is a student at the University of Minnesota Law School. Drake Hagen, associate general counsel Drake has a background in private practice. Before joining OCM, he worked at Hedeen, Hughes & Wetering law firm in Worthington and at Fitch Johnson Larson law firm in Roseville. Brian Hawthorne, law student worker Brian is a student at the University of Minnesota Law School. Theresa Pinger, human resources generalist Before joining OCM, Theresa was a human resources technician for the Minnesota Department of Education. Her previous roles include working in human resources for private industry. William Reynaga, associate general counsel William’s previous legal background includes serving as contract specialist for Fairview Health Services and assistant attorney general for the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General. Hannah Tims, regulatory lab lead Hannah came to OCM from Upper Story LLC, a St. Paul-based company that makes educational games. Prior to that, Hannah was principal scientist for Pace Analytical Life Sciences, Oakdale, Minn., and Eurofins Lancaster Labs, Lancaster, Pa. These employees started in June: Jessica Jackson, social equity director Jessica has more than two decades of experience in roles centering community engagement and diversity, equity, and inclusion and experience leading social equity initiatives in Michigan’s cannabis industry. Margaret Wiatrowski, enforcement and compliance director Margaret joined OCM from the Office of Medical Cannabis, where she served as supervisor for the hemp-derived edible cannabinoid product unit. |
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Resources & Reminders
Cannabis Advisory Council to meet June 20Minnesota’s Cannabis Advisory Council will hold its quarterly meeting on Thursday, June 20, from 10:00 a.m. – noon. This meeting will be held in person at the Skjegstad Conference Room (Room 2000) in the Stassen Building (Minnesota Department of Revenue). Stassen Building address
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OCM to hold update webinar on June 18
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will hold an implementation update webinar on Tuesday, June 18, from 4-5 p.m. Among the topics:
- General implementation update
- 2024 legislative session wrap up and updated timelines
- Rulemaking
- Outreach, engagement and upcoming technical assistance
Check out our new website
OCM has launched a new website! Our new web address is mn.gov/ocm.
The site includes improved navigation, expanded content, and new features (including a search option and a calendar displayed on the home page).
If you have a website that links to the OCM site, please update your links because those addresses have changed. Anyone who created bookmarks to the old site will have to update those as well.
Watch for new web content about the Medical Cannabis Program and hemp-derived cannabinoid products coming in early July.
