Social Equity Qualifications

Who is eligible?

According to Minnesota’s cannabis law, someone qualifies as a social equity applicant if the person meets at least one of the following criteria:

1. Was convicted of an offense involving the possession or sale of cannabis prior to May 1, 2023
2. Had a parent, guardian, child, spouse, or dependent convicted of an offense involving the possession or sale of cannabis prior to May 1, 2023
3. Was a dependent of someone convicted of an offense involving the possession or sale of cannabis prior to May 1, 2023
4. Is a military veteran, including service-disabled veterans, or current/former members of the National Guard 
5. Is a military veteran or National Guard member who lost honorable status due to an offense involving the possession or sale of cannabis
6. Has been a resident for the past five years in areas with:
   
   • High cannabis enforcement rates as determined by federal or state studies or data*
   • Poverty rate of 20% or more
     
   • Median family income not exceeding 80% of the statewide median family income (or if in metropolitan area median, did not exceed the greater of 80% of the statewide median family income or 80% of the median family income for that metropolitan area)
   • At least 20% of households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance
   • Populations that experienced a high level of vulnerability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index
     • *Due to the lack of relevant data, OCM was unable to conduct the study directed by Minnesota Statutes, section 342.04, paragraph (b), which identifies areas experiencing disproportionately high levels of cannabis enforcement. Recent changes to the law allow applicants who believe they meet this criterion to submit a study or report, based on federal or state data on arrests or convictions, to OCM. OCM will then evaluate the submitted data to determine if it meets the specified criteria.
       
7. Has participated in farm operations for at least three years, providing the majority of day-to-day labor and management on a farm with gross sales between $5,000 and $100,000 in the previous year

Eligible license types for social equity applicants*

• Cannabis microbusiness
• Cannabis mezzobusiness
• Cannabis cultivator
• Cannabis manufacturer
• Cannabis retailer
• Cannabis wholesaler
• Cannabis transporter
• Cannabis testing facility
• Cannabis delivery service

*These license types will be available through the preapproval process.

To learn more, visit the General Licensing page.