Minnesota’s marijuana retailers are growing increasingly frustrated as the state’s licensing process drags on, with some expecting it won’t be until 2026 before they can open their doors.
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is responsible for reviewing over 1,800 social equity business applications, but the process has been slowed down by a backlog in verifying the ownership of these businesses. The OCM is working to ensure that the applicants are the actual owners and not just fronts for out-of-state corporations.
While the OCM has promised to hold a lottery for pre-approval of the first 282 licenses by the end of the year, some applicants are skeptical that the actual licensing process will be completed before 2026. This has led to concerns that Minnesota will be one of the slowest states to go from legalization to licensed retail sales.
The delay has been attributed to the thorough review process, which is aimed at preventing large corporations from dominating the market. However, some critics argue that this review is unnecessary and is causing unnecessary delays.
One applicant, Shawn Weber, who owns Crested River Cannabis in Morgan, Minnesota, expressed his frustration with the slow pace of the licensing process. “Everybody that is either interested or in the industry, we’re in a hurry up and wait situation,” he said.
The delay has also raised concerns about the impact it will have on the state’s economy. Minnesota is on pace to be the fifth slowest state to go from legalization to legal sales, with Ohio, which legalized marijuana six months after Minnesota, already having started retail sales.
In the meantime, hopeful retailers are being advised to remain patient and continue to wait for the licensing process to be completed. However, with the delay showing no signs of abating, some are starting to lose hope that they will ever be able to open their businesses.
