ST. PAUL — On June 18, 2023, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) in Minnesota issued its first cannabis business license to Herb Quest, LLC, a microbusiness located in Brook Park, Pine County. Herb Quest’s initial focus will be on outdoor cultivation of cannabis plants, marking a significant development for the state’s burgeoning cannabis industry.
“Issuing the first business license is a major milestone for the office,” said OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel in a press release. The OCM has more than 600 additional businesses nearing completion of their applications and awaiting local government approvals, indicating a rapid expansion of Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market.
To further support the growth of this industry, the OCM announced several new initiatives for prospective business owners. These opportunities include:
1. Verification of Social Equity Status: A new window for prospective applicants to verify their social equity status will open from July 7 at 12:01 a.m. to July 21 at 11:59 p.m. Recent changes to Minnesota’s cannabis laws have broadened the criteria for social equity status, now including applicants with stays of adjudication and adjudications of delinquency. OCM will re-evaluate past submissions that were denied based on older criteria and will notify those whose status is now verified.
2. Applications for Cannabis Testing Facilities: Starting on August 1, the OCM will accept applications for cannabis testing facilities without a limit on their number. This is essential for establishing a robust supply chain in Minnesota’s cannabis sector. Legislative updates will also introduce a license variance process, allowing applicants to receive a license while awaiting accreditation from the International Standards Organization (ISO). Max Zappia, OCM’s chief regulatory officer, emphasized the importance of having accredited testing facilities to ensure public health and safety, consumer confidence, and market integrity.
3. Licenses for Cannabis Event Organizers: The OCM will begin accepting applications for cannabis event organizer licenses on August 1. This license will enable holders to plan and host temporary cannabis-related events, which must be restricted to individuals aged 21 and older, with no alcohol sales allowed. These events can include the on-site sale and use of adult-use cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and other hemp-derived products. Organizers can host events that last up to four consecutive days, but each event requires separate licensing and local approval.
Event organizers must secure local permits and demonstrate local approval when applying for OCM licenses. For detailed information about the licensing process and social equity verification, interested parties can visit the OCM’s official website.
With these initiatives, Minnesota positions itself to develop a structured and equitable cannabis market, benefiting a wide range of stakeholders while ensuring compliance with local laws.
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