Frequently Asked Questions

A person identified as a true party of interest may not apply for multiple license types, except that a true party of interest may be affiliated with the following combinations of applications: 

• A single cannabis cultivator license and a single cannabis manufacturer license. 
• A single cannabis wholesaler license and a single cannabis transporter license. 
• A single cannabis wholesaler license and a single cannabis delivery service license. 
• A single cannabis transporter license and single cannabis delivery service license. 
• A single cannabis wholesaler license, a single transporter license, and a single cannabis delivery service license. 
• A single cannabis retailer license and a single cannabis delivery service license.

Trade name registration will be documented through proof of registration with the Secretary of State for the company name with assumed name or DBA on the registration itself.

If the applicant is an LLC, it should submit its Certificate of Organization from the Minnesota Secretary of State, and if it uses a DBA, it should also submit its Assumed Name filing that was made with the Secretary of State.

For individuals without a Social Security number, the applicant should note in the “Social Security Number (Individuals Only)” column that the individual is a “non-US Citizen.” The applicant should not input a number that may serve as a Social Security equivalent in their country of citizenship.

A physical premises is not required for license preapproval and provides the applicant no advantage in the review process. However, it is necessary to read each question carefully about whether the question is asking you to attest that you will do something and/or if it is asking you to write and include what you plan to do once a location is secured. If the question itself includes "if applicable," it is required that you provide the requested information, even if the information is preliminary or for planning purposes. If the words "if applicable" do not appear in the question, applicants must respond accordingly. Applicants should carefully consider whether a question is applicable to their application before deciding not to respond. Writing “not applicable” or “N/A” is not sufficient unless specifically noted.

An entity or true party of interest may not submit more than one application for any single license type. Generally, this limitation does not apply to an individual, business, or entity that:  

• Holds no more than 10% ownership of the business entity.  
• Contracts with a city or county to operate no more than 10 municipal cannabis stores. 
• Holds no more than 33% controlling ownership of up to four business entities that are social equity applicants.  

Please review Minnesota Statutes, section 342.185, subdivision 2 for further details on what constitutes a true party of interest and application number limitations. An entity or true party of interest may submit applications for multiple license types if it would not result in the applicant being vertically integrated in violation of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342. Please review Minnesota Statutes, section 342.18, subdivision 2 for further details on vertical integration prohibition and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342 sections specific to each license type for further information on specific restrictions. 

Use the order number that is listed on your Social Equity Certification Report, which was provided by Creative Services, Inc.

As defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, a labor peace agreement is an agreement between a cannabis business and a bona fide labor organization that protects the state's interests by, at minimum, prohibiting the labor organization from engaging in picketing, work stoppages, or boycotts against the cannabis business.

As defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, a bona fide labor organization is a labor union that represents or is actively seeking to represent cannabis workers.

There is not a complete list of qualifying labor organizations. Applicants are welcome to work with any labor union that meets statutory definitions and represents or is actively seeking to represent cannabis workers.

Qualified applicant status awarded before June 1, 2026, will expire on Jan. 1, 2027 (Minnesota Laws 2026, chapter 123, section 17). From June 1, 2026, forward, qualified applicant status will expire after six months. To prevent expiration of qualified applicant status, complete the required steps to become a preliminarily approved applicant before the expiration date. Review the Qualified Applicant Guide for details. Contact customer service using the Contact OCM form with questions about your status. 

Applicants with preliminary approval have 18 months to obtain a license. Applicants with preliminary approval are eligible for a six-month extension following the 18-month time frame. OCM will email applicants 60 days before the expiration of preliminarily approved status with details on how to request an extension. This email will come from noreply@accela.com (check spam email if needed).

Under Minnesota Statutes, section 342.515, subdivision 1(b), only one license is permitted per person or business.

Under Minnesota Statutes section 342.515, subdivision 2(c), a medical combination business may only cultivate cannabis for sale into the adult-use market equal to an area that is one-half of the area the business used to cultivate cannabis sold into Minnesota’s medical market in the previous year. That means a medical cannabis business must first sell into Minnesota’s medical market for one year before the medical cannabis business can cultivate any adult-use cannabis. Medical cannabis combination business license holders that previously held a registration agreement have sold into Minnesota’s medical market since 2014 under section 342.515, subdivision 2(c).

The individual business and OCM will determine through the use of the statewide monitoring system the amount of cannabis canopy sold by the business into Minnesota’s medical market the prior year. The business will be permitted to cultivate one half of that amount for the adult-use market in the following year, as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.515, subdivision 2(c).

No. The medical combination business license is one of four license types that can be vertically integrated. Under Minnesota Statutes, section 342.515, subdivision 1(c), a medical combination business may cultivate, manufacture, and sell cannabis and hemp products.

Yes. Per Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22, subdivision 1, all cannabis businesses are required to receive local approval and registration prior to beginning retail sales.

No. Minnesota Statutes, section 342.13(h), only contemplates cannabis retail licenses, cannabis mezzobusiness licenses with retail operations, and cannabis microbusiness licenses with retail operations. Therefore, medical cannabis combination licenses with retail locations are exempted from the restrictions of that statute.

No. Minnesota Statutes, section 342.515, subdivision 1(c), enumerates all activities that are permitted with the medical cannabis combination business license. These activities are contemplated by the license and do not require additional endorsements. Depending on the activity, such as retail, the business will require local approval and registration as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22, subdivision 1.

No, Minnesota Tribes determine who operates businesses on tribally regulated land according to their own regulations.

A state license allows for a cannabis or hemp business to be operated outside of tribally regulated lands. As part of the licensing process, applicants must seek local zoning approval and local registration for retail stores. There is no requirement that the business owner reside in the same city or county as their business.

Due to the lack of relevant data, OCM was unable to conduct the study directed by Minnesota Statutes, section 342.04, paragraph (b), which identifies areas experiencing disproportionately high levels of cannabis enforcement. Recent changes to the law allow applicants who believe they meet this criterion to submit a study or report, based on federal or state data on arrests or convictions, to OCM. These studies could include Tribal enforcement information if it is available. OCM has launched an interactive Social Equity Map that can be found on the OCM qualifications page under Criterion 6. The map is a tool for individuals to review whether their addresses over the last five years may meet any of the specific criteria listed in that section.

The potency cap of 80% THC only applies to adult-use concentrates designed for vaporized delivery methods, such as distillate. Solid concentrates, such as shatter, do not have a potency cap. Medical cannabis products do not have a potency cap. 

Inactive ingredients used to make concentrates must be on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA’s) inactive ingredient database for respiratory (inhalation) products. This does not include terpenes added for flavor. Note: Pursuant to Minnesota Rules, part 9810.2205, subpart 3C, a solution prepared for vaporization or inhalation may not contain:  

1. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) 
2. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 
3. Vegetable glycerin (VG) 
4. Vitamin E acetate 
5. Diacetyl 
6. Squalene  

Yes, however, flavor products must be 100% naturally occurring terpene oil, such as cannabis, citrus, or mint oils.  

Yes, concentrates for vaporization or inhalation may only contain 100% naturally occurring cannabinoids and plant-derived terpene oil. That solution may be diluted with inactive ingredients on the FDA’s inactive ingredient database for respiratory (inhalation) products to meet potency requirements.