License Lottery Overview
About OCM's Lotteries
On June 5, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) conducted 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 also held 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. On July 22, a lottery for the remaining general applicants for the cannabis retailer license—which includes a second chance for social equity applicants not selected in the first lottery—was held.
Lottery Details
View the results from completed lotteries and the recordings of the past lotteries.
The lotteries drew 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)
Tuesday, July 22, 3 p.m. CDT
- Cannabis retailer (general applicants and social equity applicants)
OCM partnered 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
Selected application numbers—not business or applicant names—were displayed on the screen during the lottery and posted to the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) website following the lotteries. OCM’s licensing division will communicate directly with selected applicants via email with instructions for their next steps in obtaining a license.
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.