General Licensing Process

The latest license application window closed on March 16. OCM is reviewing applications and will announce dates for the capped license lotteries.

Summary Application Data

Below are summary data showing the numbers of applications received during last fall’s license preapproval process, and the number of applications received during the general licensing cycle currently underway. These figures are broken out to show the numbers, by license type, of social equity applicants and general licensing applicants.

The total number of applications received in each licensing cycle are presented separately in the table below. They are also combined to show the universe of applicants currently in the licensing process. Note that the license preapproval application figures reflect those who applied minus those who chose to exit the cannabis licensing process and seek a refund for their application following the cancelation of the license preapproval process. The figures do not break out the number of applications already deemed qualified. OCM will provide updates as the application review process continues. When we begin updating these data, we will simplify the table and report out updates to the combined total of the licensing preapproval and general licensing cycles.

Application numbers as of March 24, 2025

License Type	License Preapproval Social Equity Applicants (2024)	General Licensing Social Equity Applicants (2025)	General Licensing General Applicants (2025)	General Licensing Total Applicants (2025)	License Preapproval and General Licensing Combined Social Equity Applicants	License Preapproval and General Licensing Combined General Applicants	License Preapproval and General Licensing Combined Total Applicants	Lottery Licenses (capped only) available
Microbusiness	527	195	1,127	1,322	722	1,127	1,849	unlimited
Wholesaler	9	2	37	39	11	37	48	unlimited
Transporter	8	4	60	64	12	60	72	unlimited
Testing Facility	5	0	7	7	5	7	12	unlimited
Delivery Service	142	14	80	94	156	80	236	unlimited
Medical Combination Business	0	1	5	6	1	5	6	unlimited
Mezzobusiness	209	20	44	64	229	44	273	100
Cultivator	48	5	43	48	53	43	96	50
Manufacturer	36	8	39	47	44	39	83	24
Retailer	460	48	346	394	508	346	854	150
All Applications	1,444	297	1,788	2,085	1,741	1,788	3,529	324

About the general licensing cycle

During the latest license cycle, OCM accepted applications both from verified social equity applicants and from any applicant seeking to participate in general licensing in the following license types: microbusiness, mezzobusiness, cultivator, manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler, transporter, testing facility, delivery service, and medical cannabis combination business. Applications for cannabis event organizer licenses will be accepted later this summer; applications for lower-potency hemp edible manufacturer licenses and lower-potency hemp edible retailer licenses will be accepted in the fall. Cities or counties wishing to operate a single municipal cannabis store needed to apply for a retailer license during the initial application window. Municipal retailer licenses are not subject to a lottery.

Guides for applying for a cannabis business license

The guide linked below provides guidance and instruction for people seeking a cannabis business license, including step-by-step instructions on how to register an account on the OCM Citizen Portal, complete the application steps, and submit materials for licensure.

Creation and Submission of License Application Using the OCM Citizen Portal

The guide linked below explains what materials and information an applicant needs when filling out the application. 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 Business License Application Review and Qualifications Guidance

The guide linked below provides information on the steps a qualified applicant must take following preliminary application approval in order to secure a cannabis business license.

Qualified Applicant Guide to Obtaining a License

Worksheets

The PDF documents linked below are fillable. Save the form on your computer and then open it directly in Acrobat or Acrobat Reader to complete.

Other licensing resources

The From Start to License: Your Path to Cannabis Licensing in Minnesota graphic provides an overview of licensing steps.
The Navigating Hemp Licensing (PDF) chart outlines what registered hemp-derived cannabinoid product retailers or manufactures will need to do once rules are adopted depending on what type of business activities they would like to participate in. Retail registrations do not automatically convert to lower-potency hemp licenses. Businesses currently registered will have to apply for licenses.
Office Hour Webinar Series:
- Microbusiness, Mezzobusiness, and Retailer Application Guidance (recorded webinar from Feb. 20)
- Testing Facility, Manufacturer, Cultivator, and Wholesaler Application Guidance (recorded webinar from Feb. 25)
- Transporter and Delivery Service Application Guidance (recorded webinar from Feb. 27)

Step 1: Application process

This step includes submitting an application on OCM's online application system, along with all the required worksheets and the application fee payment for the license being sought.

Applicants must meet the necessary criteria to be eligible for the lottery for available cannabis business licenses.

OCM will conduct lotteries for both social equity and general license applicants for the four license types with caps. Following the completion of the lotteries, OCM will notify each applicant whether or not they were selected to move forward. The date for the lotteries will be announced. 