The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is accepting and reviewing applications for cannabis event organizer licenses on an ongoing basis. Apply on Accela.
Please note there will be significant changes to the cannabis event organizer license type on Jan. 1, 2027. The office will make information available in advance of these changes taking effect. Applicants planning a cannabis event in 2027 should review the changes to the law and stay up to date on office communications as the effective date nears.
Cannabis event organizers can plan and host events featuring cannabis, and may allow for the sale of adult-use cannabis, adult-use cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products to consumers by licensed cannabis retailers, licensed mezzobusinesses with a retailer endorsement, licensed microbusinesses with a retailer endorsement, licensed medical cannabis combination businesses, licensed lower-potency hemp edible retailers, compacted Tribal enterprises and cannabis businesses licensed by a compacted Tribal regulatory agency. With local approval, they can also provide spaces for consumers to use cannabis.
This license is temporary and must be obtained separately for each event. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the application and the applicable fee at least 45 days in advance of the event date to allow enough time for the office to review the materials. Applications received within 30 days of the event risk not receiving a determination on their application and their license before the event date.
All cannabis events require local approval, including but not limited to, any permits or licenses required by the applicable local unit of government and specific approval of on-site consumption areas. Distinct from other cannabis business licensing, event organizers must obtain local approval before submitting an application for an event license to OCM.
Activities and products allowed:
- Can plan and host: Temporary cannabis-related events in Minnesota. These events require local approval, are strictly limited to ages 21 and older, and may not include the sale or consumption of alcohol or tobacco. Cannabis events may feature the on-site sale and use of adult-use cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products. Event organizers may host multiday events, provided that the event does not exceed four consecutive days in duration.
- Can allow: Organizers may designate areas for on-site cannabis consumption. They may allow for the sale and sampling of cannabis plants, adult-use cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products by licensed cannabis retailers, licensed microbusinesses with a retail operations endorsement, licensed mezzobusinesses with a retail operations endorsement, licensed medical cannabis combination businesses operating a retail location, licensed lower-potency hemp edible (LPHE) retailers, compacted Tribal enterprises and cannabis businesses licensed by a compacted Tribal regulatory agency — if requirements for applicable signage and sample size limitations are met. License holders must obtain local approval for on-site consumption.
Endorsements available: None available.
Additional licenses available (may be held simultaneously):
With the exception of the testing facility and medical cannabis combination business license types, any cannabis or hemp business license holder may also apply for a temporary event organizer license.
Application and license fees:
- Application fee: $750
- License fee: $750
For more information, check out the Guide to Licensed Cannabis Events and the Hosting Events webpage.
