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.
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.
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.
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.
- Disclosure of Ownership and Control (PDF)
- Capitalization Table (.xls(s))
- Preliminary Security Plan (PDF)
- Preliminary Business Plan (PDF)
- Attestation of Labor Peace Agreement (PDF)
- Preliminary Training and Educational Plan for Employees (PDF)
- Preliminary SOP Quality Assurance (PDF)
- Preliminary SOP Inventory Control, Storage, and Diversion Prevention (PDF)
- Preliminary SOP Accounting and Tax Compliance (PDF)
- Preliminary Operation Plan - Microbusiness or Mezzobusiness (PDF)
- Preliminary Operation Plan - Manufacturer (PDF)
- Preliminary Operation Plan - Retail (PDF)
- Preliminary Operation Plan - Wholesale (PDF)
- Preliminary Operation Plan - Testing (PDF)
- Preliminary Operation Plan - Transporter (PDF)
- Preliminary Operation Plan - Delivery (PDF)
- Preliminary Operation Plan - Cultivation (PDF)
- Preliminary Operation Plan - Medical Cannabis Combination Business
- Cultivation Plan (PDF)
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.

