Overview for Social Equity Applicants

The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is in the process of reviewing applications for license preapproval from verified social equity applicants. The window for submitting applications for this round closed on Aug. 12, per Minnesota law.

On Oct. 16, OCM sent deficiency notices and requests for additional information to approximately 300 applicants. Please note that no final determinations have been communicated to applicants yet. A “pending” status on an individual application reflects that review is ongoing. If an applicant did not receive a deficiency notice or a request for additional information, it is not an indication one way or another about the applicant’s eventual application status. 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 completed.

The process started with the verification of applicants who met qualifications for social equity applicant status. Following that, those verified through this process could apply for license preapproval. Qualified applicants will be entered into a lottery. 

OCM will schedule the lottery once the review of applications is complete. 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 plans to offer additional social equity verification and licensing opportunities. Informational materials for the next round of licensing will be available at a future date. 

Updated October 16