Social Equity Verification Process
OCM will accept applications for social equity verification from July 7 at 12:01 a.m. through July 21, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Social equity verification is the process where OCM confirms an applicant's social equity eligibility. This service is free. If you are an applicant who has already had their social equity status verified, your status remains current. You are not required to provide further documentation to verify your status.
Jump to our verification guide for more information on the process.
Applicants must meet the necessary criteria to be eligible social equity verification.
Note: Social equity licenses must be owned at least 65% by social equity applicants, which can include one or more people. Each person who makes up the 65% ownership must be verified in order to proceed to applying for a business license. For more information, read Minnesota Statutes, section 342.185.
What does it mean to be verified as a social equity applicant and business?
Completing social equity verification is the first step for people who wish to apply for a cannabis business license with a social equity classification. Verification alone does not equate to submitting a license application. An applicant verified as a social equity applicant retains that status in perpetuity.
Social equity verification is an option to consider when making business decisions on the path to obtaining a cannabis license. It is not required for obtaining a cannabis business license. As with deciding which license type to pursue, it is a consideration for each prospective applicant to determine which route (whether that is social equity verified classification or not) best meets their unique business goals. Social equity verification does not necessarily mean your business will be classified as a social equity business after receiving a license. That determination will be made during the business licensing application process. OCM is unable to provide legal or business advice and cannot assist in decisions on which license type to apply for or which license classification to pursue and recommends seeking counsel to make these determinations. The table below provides information to consider as you make this determination.
| License type
|
Increased chance of lottery selection?
|
Need to verify social equity prior to application?
|
Limited ability to sell business?
|
Different application standards?
|
Ability to promote yourself as a social equity business?
|
Different access to resources outside of OCM?
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social equity: Mezzobusiness, Cultivator, Retailer, Manufacturer
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Maybe
|
| Social equity: Uncapped
|
Not applicable
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Maybe
|
| General: Mezzobusiness, Cultivator, Retailer, Manufacturer
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Maybe
|
| General: Uncapped
|
Not applicable
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Maybe |
Verification toolkit
Cannabis License Social Equity Verification Guide for Applicants (PDF) (updated 1/14/25)
This guide provides guidance and instruction for people seeking a cannabis business license with a social equity verification. The guide includes step-by-step instructions on how to register an account on the OCM Citizen Portal, complete the social equity verification steps on the OCM Citizen Portal, and submit supporting materials for social equity verification.
Watch the Social Equity Verification Informational Webinar (recorded 1/14/25)
The webinar linked below provides a general overview of the licensing process, focusing on the first step of social equity verification. Watch to learn about resources and understand social equity in cannabis licensing, the eligibility criteria for social equity status, and the verification process. Note, this was recorded prior changes in law that updated criteria for social equity applicants. Please see OCM's guidance around qualifications for further information.
Check our Frequently Asked Questions webpage for answers to a wide range of questions related to social equity and the verification process.