Minnesota’s Recreational Marijuana Market Takes Another Step Forward
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has reopened the application process for licenses to grow and sell recreational marijuana, following a previous cancellation due to lawsuits. The OCM is now accepting applications from both social equity and general applicants for a second time.
Eric Taubel, the OCM’s interim director, explained that the first round of applications was designed to give social equity applicants a head start in establishing themselves in the market. This time, all applicants will be considered, including those seeking licenses for growing, cultivating, retail, and delivery services.
The OCM will award four licenses through a lottery and six through a competitive application process. Applicants who were previously denied can appeal, and the agency will have more time to review applications.
Native American tribes are expected to be the first to open off-reservation retail recreational marijuana sales in Minnesota, as negotiations with state and tribal governments near completion.
The Minnesota Legislature legalized recreational cannabis in 2023, with the goal of having it available this year. Despite some delays, the OCM is on track to meet this goal, with the limited medical marijuana marketplace in the state being a factor in the slow build-up to a full market.
Taubel, a lawyer with experience as general counsel for the state education department, took over as interim director of the OCM last month. He expressed his excitement about building a new market from the ground up and launching a new industry that could have long-lasting impacts on the state of Minnesota.
