Cannabis Countdown: Minnesota’s NEW Plan to Roll Out Licenses

In the continuing saga of Minnesota rolling out recreational cannabis sales in the state, a big decision was made this week that will hopefully speed up the process.

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced that it will open a standard licensing cycle early next year after a Ramsey County judge paused the preapproval lottery that was originally planned for November.

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Minnesota Hopes to Keep Process Moving by Ending Preapproval

According to the state, this change is meant to avoid further delays while keeping the focus on social equity in the application process.

By ending the license preapproval process, OCM aims to stay on track with the market’s launch while allowing social equity applicants to remain part of the process. “We remain committed to launching an equitable, sustainable, and responsible cannabis marketplace in Minnesota,” said OCM Interim Director Charlene Briner.

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Minnesota Still Trying to Help Social Equity Applicants

The preapproval process was supposed to give social equity applicants a head start, but lawsuits from some applicants who didn’t make the cut forced the state to rethink things. Switching to a general licensing cycle keeps the timeline on track while still making sure equity-focused applicants have a fair shot.

The 648 applicants who qualified under the preapproval process will automatically be included in the next round. For licenses that aren’t subject to a lottery, those applicants can continue working toward securing their licenses.

New Timeline for Marijuana Sales in Minnesota

Applicants who were denied during the preapproval process will also have the opportunity to reapply. In February 2025, they can submit updated applications with corrections, giving them another shot at entering the process. Those who choose not to continue can request a refund of their application fees.

“We recognize the disappointment of the 648 qualified social equity applicants who participated in the preapproval application process and are committed to ensuring their consideration in the next application cycle,” Briner said.

New Deadline to Submit Applications, Lottery TBA in Minnesota

March 14th, 2025 is when the license application window closes, and the OCM says that the lottery is expected to happen at some point between May and June, but no date has been scheduled yet.