The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has reached a significant milestone by submitting a draft of its proposed rules for adult-use recreational cannabis. This development was shared by OCM officials in a statement on Tuesday, indicating that the rules will now be sent to the Office of Administrative Hearings for further approval.
Interim Director Eric Taubel stated that the timeline for launching the adult-use market aims to complete the rules by the end of the first quarter of 2025. He emphasized that with the rules now under review by an administrative law judge, the state has hit a crucial milestone. Following the approval, businesses will be able to finalize their steps and apply for cannabis licensing.
The proposed rules have been updated to incorporate public feedback gathered during the summer of 2024. Once these rules are officially adopted, OCM plans to start issuing business licenses. The administrative law judge has a 14-day window to either approve the rules, approve them with changes, or reject them.
OCM reports that nearly 200 business owners are eligible for various uncapped licenses, including microbusiness, wholesaler, transporter, testing facility, and delivery service. These individuals will participate in lottery drawings for license distribution once the rules are finalized. Additionally, licenses that are capped by state statute, such as cultivator, mezzobusiness, manufacturer, and retailer, will be part of separate lotteries later this year.
Jess Jackson, OCM’s director of social equity, mentioned that the adoption of these rules will enable social equity applicants who passed their application review last fall to be the first cannabis business owners in Minnesota. For those interested in the proposed rules, OCM’s website provides the complete list.
