License Lottery Overview

Upcoming June 5 lotteries

On June 5, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will conduct lotteries for social equity and general applicants for three license types critical to establishing the supply chain in the state’s emerging adult-use market: cannabis cultivator, cannabis manufacturer, and cannabis mezzobusiness. The office will also hold a lottery for social equity applicants (SEAs) applying for a cannabis retailer license on June 5, preserving some of the advantages to SEAs envisioned in legislation. A lottery for general applicants for the cannabis retailer license—which includes a second chance for social equity applicants not selected in the first lottery—will follow in July. Details about that lottery will be posted at a later date. 

Lottery details

Livestream the lotteries at www.youtube.com/@MNCannabisManagement

The lotteries will draw from applications that have met statutory requirements and passed a thorough review and vetting process.

Thursday, June 5, 11 a.m. CDT

Cannabis cultivator (social equity applicants only)
Cannabis manufacturer (social equity applicants only)
Cannabis mezzobusiness (social equity applicants only)
Cannabis retailer (social equity applicants only)

Thursday, June 5, 2 p.m. CDT

Cannabis cultivator (general applicants and social equity applicants)
Cannabis manufacturer (general applicants and social equity applicants)
Cannabis mezzobusiness (general applicants and social equity applicants)

OCM is partnering with Smartplay International, Inc., a recognized leader in digital lottery drawing systems, and Baker Tilly, an advisory tax and assurance firm, to conduct the lotteries. Both vendors have conducted cannabis license lotteries in other states.

Instructions for applicants

Applicants in contention for selection in the lotteries should make note of the schedule above and watch for their license application number to be drawn. Selected application numbers—not business or applicant names—will be displayed on the screen during the lottery and posted to the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) website (mn.gov/ocm) later that day following the lottery. OCM’s licensing division will communicate directly with selected applicants via email with instructions for their next steps in obtaining a license.

The license application lotteries will be livestreamed for applicants and members of the public to watch via the office’s YouTube Channel. Results will be posted to OCM’s website and shared with applicants after completion.

Public data on license applicants

The names and addresses of selected businesses will not be posted on the day of the lottery. Only the selected application numbers will be posted following the lotteries. OCM will provide statutorily required public data upon request and is preparing a resource for members of the public to access public data about applicants and licensees.

Minnesota Statutes, section 342.20, subdivision 2, specifies that the following data about a license applicant are classified as public:

The applicant's name and designated address.
Data disclosing the ownership and control of the applicant.
Proof of trade name registration.
Data showing the legal possession of the premises where the business will operate.
Data describing whether volatile chemicals will be used in any methods of extraction or concentration.
Environmental plans.
The type and number of other cannabis business licenses or hemp business licenses held by the applicant.
The name, address, location, dates, and hours of where any proposed cannabis event will take place.

Frequently asked questions about the lotteries

How will I know if my application qualified for the lottery selection process?
When will the lotteries be held? How can I watch them?
I won’t be able to watch the livestream on June 5. Will you record the lotteries?
How will I know if my application was selected during the lotteries?
Where do I find my application number?

Review your emails from OCM that will include your application number.

You may also log in to your Accela account via the citizen portal.

Once you log in (the top of the screen will say that you are logged in), select Search Applications.

Scroll down past the map on your screen to view your records list. This list will show all records tied to your account.

To locate your application number, look for the record type that includes application in the description. The listed record number for that record type is your application number.
Who is running the lotteries?

OCM is responsible for the lotteries, which will be conducted using procedures and controls similar to those held in other states. OCM has engaged Smartplay International, Inc., a recognized leader in digital lottery drawing systems, and Baker Tilly, an advisory tax and assurance firm, to conduct Thursday’s lotteries. Both vendors have conducted cannabis license lotteries in other states.
If I am selected in the lottery, does it mean that I have a license, and I can start operating my business?

No. An applicant has to complete two steps, including a background check process and submit an attestation of a labor peace agreement, in order to become preliminarily approved. Then, there are several steps a preliminarily approved applicant must complete before receiving license and becoming an operational cannabis business. The From Start to License: Your Path to Cannabis Licensing in Minnesota graphic provides an overview of licensing steps.
What do I do next if my application was selected in lottery?

If you are selected in the lottery, OCM will send you a notice which will include next steps in obtaining preliminary approval and then eventually a full business license. Social equity applicants who are not selected in the social equity lotteries will be automatically entered into the general application lotteries for their specific license type. OCM will retain the applications that are not selected in either lottery for any lotteries held within 12 months.