November 4, 2024
News & Updates
Lottery for cannabis license preapprovals on trackMinnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) staff continue to review applications for license preapproval from verified social equity applicants. No final determinations have been communicated to applicants yet. All applicants for license preapproval will receive an individual final notice of the status (qualified or not qualified) of their application when the full review—including review of adherence to true party of interest provisions—is complete. OCM will schedule the lottery once the review of applications is complete. We remain on track to hold the lottery before the end of the year. Applicants selected through the lottery and who complete final required steps, including the background check process, will be awarded license preapproval and be able to finalize business operations in anticipation of market launch after the adoption of rules. OCM will offer additional social equity verification and licensing opportunities. Watch the OCM website for information about licensing. |
Public comment period now open for petitions to add medical delivery method
OCM has launched the public comment period for petitions to add a delivery method (the form in which a medication is taken) to the list of allowable products available to patients in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program.
Three petitions are under consideration for 2024 (click on the PDF link to review each petition):
Use this form to submit your comments. The deadline to submit comments is Nov. 5.
OCM’s Division of Medical Cannabis accepts petitions from the public every year to add a delivery method.
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OCM interim director on cannabis business licensing timelineIn a recent edition of Nuggets, the Minnesota Star Tribune’s weekly column on all things cannabis, Interim Director Charlene Briner was interviewed about the state’s progress towards opening the adult-use cannabis market. Read the interview here. |
Help the Cannabis Advisory Council grow
The 2024 legislative changes to Minnesota’s cannabis law (Chapter 342) included the addition of three positions to the Cannabis Advisory Council, which currently has 51 members. Help OCM spread the word and encourage candidates to apply for following open positions:
- Youth (ages 18-24) who have been disproportionately affected by cannabis use or have an immediate family member who was negatively affected by cannabis use. Two seats are available: One youth member inside the seven-county metropolitan area and one outside the seven-county metropolitan area.
To submit an application and learn more, go to the Secretary of State’s website and click positions.
First draft of proposed rules with Revisor’s office
In July, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) submitted the first draft of proposed rules to Minnesota’s Office of the Revisor of Statutes to be drafted into the form that meets statutory requirements. OCM is currently waiting for the Revisor to complete that work. In late July, OCM shared the draft rules with the public and sought feedback on the draft throughout the month of August. Following the Revisor’s approval of the draft as to form, OCM will publish a notice of intent to adopt rules in the State Register, which will prompt a 30-day formal comment period. This will be another opportunity for the public to provide feedback. Check our rulemaking webpage for updates.
Lucy Angelis, grants manager, and Jess Jackson, director of social equity, at the Minnesota State Fair (left to right)
Division of Social Equity
OCM’s Division of Social Equity partnered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) at the State Fair to support the Emerging Farmers booth (pictured above are Lucy Angelis, grants manager, and Jess Jackson, director of social equity). It was a great opportunity to connect with potential farmers interested in expanding their portfolios to include Minnesota’s legal cannabis industry.
Additionally, the division has been actively engaging with advocates to better understand community needs and how to best support social equity applicants. Part of this ongoing effort is preparation for the CanGrow and CanRenew grants.
- CanGrow: Grants to eligible organizations that will fund lending and technical assistance for cannabis farmers navigating the regulatory structure of the legal cannabis industry.
- CanRenew: Grants to eligible organizations that will fund investment in communities impacted by cannabis prohibition.
Looking ahead, staff will be meeting with advocacy groups in November and December to gather perspectives on the grant process and how to best address community needs. Organizations that want to host a listening session should submit a speaker request form. Write “Grants Listening Session” in the purpose of event field to begin coordination. You can also email [email protected] with any questions or to schedule a session.
Stay connected with us as we continue working to support social equity and promote opportunities in Minnesota’s cannabis industry!
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Resources and Reminders
Social equity grant program webinarsIn November and December, OCM’s Division of Social Equity will host webinars to provide an overview of the CanRenew and CanGrow grants. This will allow those interested in the programs to learn more and ask questions. Two webinars have been scheduled:
Registration information will be available soon. To get details on how to join, sign up for updates from the Division of Social Equity or go to the OCM website calendar. |
Cannabis Industry Forum
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry will hold a Legal Cannabis Industry Forum on Nov. 8 from 9 to 10 a.m. Participate virtually to learn about the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline and learn from others in the industry. Any questions you have ahead of the forum can be directed to [email protected]. Register online on the Cannabis Industry Forum page.
