Social Equity Applicants, Small and Medium Businesses
ST. PAUL, Minn. — On June 5, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management conducted the first license lotteries for social equity and general applicants cannabis cultivators, cannabis manufacturers, and cannabis mezzobusinesses.
Senator Lindsey Port (DFL-Burnsville), who was chief author of the 2023 legislation that created a legal, regulated adult-use cannabis market and expunged many prior cannabis-related convictions, releases the following statement:
“Congratulations to our first round of licensees and to every Minnesotan who took the time and effort to apply — your commitment to this new industry is central to its success. Our aim has always been to build an industry centered on small businesses and ensure that the people most harmed by prohibition have a real opportunity to be a part of building it. The phenomenal team at the Office of Cannabis Management has my profound gratitude for their steadfast approach to getting it right. Setting up an entire industry — including regulation, a new agency, rules and more — takes time to do right, and they have worked hard to reach this milestone. I am excited to see how Minnesota’s market continues to grow.”
Another 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 be held on July 22.
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