The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will accept applications for cannabis business licenses from February 18 through March 14.
Beginning February 18, those interested can apply for various marijuana license types, including microbusiness, mezzobusiness, cultivator, manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler, transporter, testing facility, and delivery service. Certain licenses have statutory caps until July 1, 2026, after which the OCM may adjust the number based on market performance.
The capped licenses include:
- Mezzobusiness: 50 licenses
- Cultivator: 25 licenses
- Manufacturer: 12 licenses
- Retailer: 75 licenses
Half of these capped licenses will be reserved for social equity applicants. The OCM plans to conduct separate lotteries for social equity and general applicants in May or June 2025. Applicants not selected in the social equity lottery will automatically be entered into the general lottery.
Uncapped licenses, such as microbusinesses, wholesalers, transporters, testing facilities, delivery services, and medical cannabis combination businesses, will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The timeline for when dispensaries will begin operations in Minnesota remains uncertain. The rollout has experienced delays, including legal challenges that postponed the initial social equity lottery planned for November 2024. Currently, cannabis sales are only permitted on tribal lands.
Initially, when cannabis legalization was introduced in January 2023, lawmakers anticipated establishing a legal marketplace within a few months. However, regulatory hurdles have extended this timeline.
Prospective business owners are encouraged to prepare their applications promptly to participate in Minnesota’s emerging recreational cannabis industry.
