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.

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.

License application window opened (SEA and all applicants)

License application window closes

Step 2: Cannabis business license lottery

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. 