Minnesota has opened the initial application period for recreational marijuana licenses, 14 months after legalizing the substance.
The initial applications focus on social equity businesses, allowing some to start growing cannabis plants as early as this fall, although retail sales are expected to commence in the spring.
The application process, initiated by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), began on Wednesday with the opening of a preapproval license window for businesses verified as involving social equity applicants, reports MinnPost. This initial application window closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 12.
This early opportunity aims to provide social equity applicants with what OCM calls an “early mover advantage.” These applicants can secure financing, leases, and begin construction, providing a significant head start compared to others who must wait until final rules are established next year.
Applicants, including microbusinesses, growers, and manufacturers, must complete the preapproval application process to participate in a lottery in September for the available licenses. The state plans to issue 100 microbusiness licenses, 23 mezzobusiness licenses, 38 retail licenses, and 13 cultivator licenses as part of this preapproval phase.
Charlene Briner, the interim director of OCM, stated, “The opening of the application preapproval window is another important milestone in building Minnesota’s cannabis industry. We continue to encourage potential applicants to carefully review and use the resources we’ve provided on our website to submit their application.”
The changes in the law aim to provide social equity applicants—those affected by cannabis prohibition, veterans, and residents of high-poverty areas—with a head start. This early licensing also allows pre-approved licensees, including micro, mezzo, and cultivator businesses, to begin growing cannabis plants in the fall, ensuring that products will be available when the market fully opens.
