Application Process

OCM is currently accepting applications for lower-potency hemp edible manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer licenses; cannabis event organizer licenses; and cannabis testing facility licenses.

In preparation for significant changes going into effect on Jan. 1, 2027, OCM will close the current event organizer licensing application on Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. CT. The new event organizer license and event site registration applications will open in January 2027. Allowing for the 45 days we recommend for a successful submission, we anticipate event organizers could host events beginning in late February.

If you intend to hold a cannabis event during the final months of 2026, your application must be submitted in Accela no later than Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. CT. The office continues to recommend organizers submit their application at least 45 days in advance of the planned event date to ensure adequate time for application review and approval.

Start your license application on Accela. Note: Businesses must be physically located in Minnesota to receive a license.

Jump to resources for applying for a cannabis business license.
Jump to resources for applying for a cannabis event organizer license.
Jump to resources for applying for a lower-potency hemp edible business license.

About licensing

OCM is accepting and reviewing applications for lower-potency hemp edible (LPHE) manufacturer, LPHE retailer, LPHE wholesaler, cannabis event organizer, and cannabis testing facility licenses on an ongoing, rolling basis.

Between Feb. 18–March 16, 2025, OCM accepted applications both from verified social equity applicants and from any applicant seeking to participate in general licensing in the following cannabis license types: microbusiness, mezzobusiness, cultivator, manufacturer, retailer (including municipal retailers), wholesaler, transporter, testing facility, delivery service, and medical cannabis combination business. Additional opportunities to apply for one of these business license types have not been determined, and future updates, if any, will be announced on this webpage.

Licensing resources

Resources for Applying for a Cannabis Business License
From Start to License: Your Path to Cannabis Licensing in Minnesota (updated 8/1/2026)
This graphic provides an overview of cannabis licensing steps. Upon submitting a site registration, which includes an applicant’s final site location information and final plans of record, the law allows 90 days for OCM to review the updated application. The local government has 30 days within this window to review as well. Applicants should expect that it may take up to 90 days from point of site registration to licensure as they plan for the opening of their business.

Qualified Applicant Guide to Obtaining a License (updated 8/1/2026)
This guide provides information on the steps a qualified applicant must take following preliminary application approval in order to secure a cannabis business license.

Creation and Submission of Cannabis License Application Using Accela (updated 10/1/2026)
This guide provides guidance and instructions for people seeking a cannabis business license, including step-by-step instructions on how to register an account in Accela, complete the application steps, and submit materials for licensure.

Cannabis Business License Application Review and Qualifications Guidance (updated 8/1/2026)
This guide explains what materials and information an applicant needs when filling out the initial application for the following cannabis business licenses: mezzobusiness, cultivator, manufacturer, retailer, microbusiness, wholesaler, transporter, testing facility, delivery service, and medical combination business. This document contains details about what application reviewers will look for to establish minimum qualifications and will be the primary tool for application reviews. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the tables in Appendix A to complete their application and ensure the information provided meets minimum qualifications.

Frequently Asked Questions for Cannabis Businesses (updated 8/1/2026)
Includes information about indoor/outdoor grow and transporter site requirements.

Worksheets: Initial application

The initial application worksheets should be completed by applicants starting Step 1 of the application process. The PDF documents linked below are fillable. Save the forms on your computer and then open directly in Acrobat or Acrobat Reader to complete.
- Disclosure of Ownership and Control (PDF) (updated 7/25/25)
- Capitalization Table (.xls(s)) (updated 2/14/25)
- Preliminary Security Plan (PDF) (updated 2/18/25)
- Preliminary Business Plan (PDF) (updated 2/18/25)
- Attestation of Labor Peace Agreement (PDF) (updated 7/25/25)
- Preliminary Training and Educational Plan for Employees (PDF) (updated 2/18/25)
- Preliminary SOP Quality Assurance (PDF) (updated 2/18/25)
- Preliminary SOP Inventory Control, Storage, and Diversion Prevention (PDF) (updated 2/18/25)
- Preliminary SOP Accounting and Tax Compliance (PDF) (updated 2/18/25)
- Preliminary Operation Plan - Testing Facility (PDF) (updated 7/25/25)
Worksheets: Preliminarily approved applicant status

Final plans of record guidance
View guidance on submitting your final plans of records and access the required forms. The cannabis business final plans of record forms should only be completed after you reach preliminarily approved status. Upon submission, you will be emailed a PDF copy of your completed final plan of record (FPOR), which you will need to upload in Accela with your license application. The email will come from no-reply@webmerge.me. Important: Failure to upload your completed online forms to Accela will result in your application being marked as incomplete.
- Review the questions for cannabis cultivators.
- Review the questions for cannabis delivery services.
- Review the questions for cannabis manufacturers.
- Review the questions for cannabis mezzobusinesses.
- Review the questions for cannabis microbusinesses.
- Review the questions for cannabis retailers.
- Review the questions for cannabis testing facilities.
- Review the questions for cannabis transporters.
- Review the questions for cannabis wholesalers.
- Review the questions for medical cannabis combination businesses.
Office hour webinar series
- Microbusiness, Mezzobusiness, and Retailer Application Guidance (recorded webinar from 2/20/2025)
- Testing Facility, Manufacturer, Cultivator, and Wholesaler Application Guidance (recorded webinar from 2/25/2025)
- Transporter and Delivery Service Application Guidance (recorded webinar from 2/27/2025)
Resources for Applying for a Cannabis Event License
Guidance for 2026 events

Note: The Minnesota Legislature passed significant changes to the cannabis event organizer license type in the 2026 legislative session, including transitioning from a temporary license to an annual, renewable license. Those changes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2027.

If you intend to hold a cannabis event during 2026, your application must be submitted in Accela no later than Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. CT. The office continues to recommend organizers submit their application at least 45 days in advance of the planned event date to ensure adequate time for application review and approval.

Guide to Licensed Cannabis Events (updated 8/1/2026)
This guide provides information on the steps an applicant must take in order to secure a cannabis event organizer license and guidance around prohibited and permitted activities for this license type.

Cannabis Event Organizer License Application Review and Qualifications Guide (updated 8/1/2026)
This guide explains what materials and information an applicant needs when filling out the application for a cannabis event organizer license. This document contains details about what application reviewers will look for to establish minimum qualifications and will be the primary tool for application reviews. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the tables in Appendix A to complete their application and ensure the information provided meets minimum qualifications.

Cannabis Event Diagram Instructions and Example (updated 7/25/2025)
A diagram of event layout is uploaded to the Site, Security, and Operations online fillable form as part of the cannabis event organizer license application. This document provides instructions and requirements for creating a diagram of the event layout for a cannabis event as well as an example diagram.

Preparing for your event
- Pre-Inspection List for Event Organizers (8/1/2026)
- Pre-Inspection List for Event Vendors (8/1/2026)
- Metrc Support Bulletin 58: Distributing to vendors (3/24/2026)
Worksheets and final plans of record

The PDF document linked below is fillable. Save the form on your computer and then open directly in Acrobat or Acrobat Reader to complete.
- Local Approval of Cannabis Event form (PDF) (updated 6/18/25)
The Excel document linked below is fillable. Save the file on your computer and then open directly in Excel to complete.
- Capitalization Table [.xls(s)] (updated 2/14/25)
The online forms linked below are fillable. Complete each form online at the link provided. A PDF copy will be automatically emailed to you upon submission and will need to be uploaded to your application in Accela. Important: Failure to upload your completed online forms to Accela will result in your application being marked as incomplete.

Review the final plan of record questions for cannabis event organizers for all of the online forms below.
Webinars
- Navigating the Cannabis Event Organizer License (recorded webinar from 7/30/2025)
Resources for Applying for a Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Business License
⁠
Creation and Submission of Lower-Potency Hemp Edible License Application Using Accela (updated 10/1/26)
This guide provides guidance and instructions for people seeking an LPHE business license, including step-by-step instructions on how to register an account in Accela, complete the application steps, and submit materials for licensure.

Hemp Businesses in Minnesota: A guide for lower-potency hemp edible license applicants (updated 9/4/26)
This guide outlines the LPHE regulatory framework, types of licenses and endorsements available, allowable business activities, and product requirements.

From Start to License: Your Path to Lower-Potency Hemp Licensing in Minnesota (updated 4/1/26)
This graphic provides an overview of LPHE licensing steps and a timeline for LPHE licensing.

Frequently Asked Questions for Hemp Businesses (updated 8/1/2026)
This webpage includes FAQs on hemp business licensing and the application process.

LPHE application worksheets and final plans of record

Guidance for Lower Potency Hemp Edible Retailers: Local Retail Registration Requirement (updated 6/16/26)
All LPHE retailers must obtain local retail registration before beginning retail operations. Learn more about the local retail registration requirement by referencing this document.

Instructions for Diagram of LPHE Manufacturing Facility (updated 9/19/25)
This document provides instructions and requirements for creating a diagram of site layout for an LPHE manufacturing facility, as well as an example diagram. This is required for LPHE manufacturer applications

Lower-Potency Hemp Edible License Application Review and Eligibility Guidance (updated 8/1/26)
This guide explains what materials and information an applicant needs when filling out the application for LPHE manufacturer, retailer, or wholesaler license. This document contains details about what application reviewers will look for to establish eligibility and will be the primary tool for application reviews. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the tables in Appendix A to complete their application and ensure the information provided meets eligibility.

Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Business: Site, Security, and Operations Final Plan of Record (fillable online form)
This online final plan of record form is fillable. You will be emailed a PDF copy of your completed final plan of record (FPOR) submission, which you will need to upload in Accela with your license application. The email will come from no-reply@webmerge.me. Important: Failure to upload your completed online forms to Accela will result in your application being marked as incomplete.
- Review the questions for LPHE retailers.
- Review the questions for LPHE manufacturers.
- Review the questions for LPHE wholesalers.
Guidance memos
- Refer to the Guidance Memos webpage for any additional related guidance.
Archived resources

Hemp Registrant to License Holder Conversion Guide (final update 4/1/26)
The conversion process is now complete. This historical guide includes an overview of next steps for current hemp-derived cannabis business registrants who applied for a hemp or cannabis license.

Do you need assistance?

For general questions about the application process, please contact customer service via our Contact Us webpage.

The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) complies with all applicable anti-discrimination law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). OCM provides reasonable accommodations to licensing applicants with qualified disabilities on a case-by-case basis. To request an ADA accommodation, please visit our ADA webpage.