Minnesota’s Legal Marijuana Sales May Be Delayed by Months Due to Canceled Lottery
The state’s plans to launch its legal marijuana market have hit a snag. The Office of Cannabis Management has canceled its social equity lottery, which was scheduled to take place on November 26, due to a lawsuit filed by two rejected applicants. The move is expected to delay the launch of the market by several months.
The social equity lottery was designed to give priority to applicants from high-poverty areas, veterans, and individuals negatively impacted by cannabis prohibition. The lottery was meant to speed up the licensing process for these groups, allowing them to get a head start in the market. However, a Ramsey County judge blocked the lottery, citing concerns over the state’s application process.
As a result, the Office of Cannabis Management will now move forward with a standard licensing process for all applicants. The agency plans to open general licensing for all applicants on February 18, with a general lottery for licenses scheduled to take place in May or June.
The delay is expected to push back the launch of the legal marijuana market, which was originally estimated to begin in early 2025. Minnesota legalized cannabis in 2023, but the process of creating a legal marketplace and regulatory framework has been slower than expected.
The state will continue to consider social equity criteria in its licensing process, but without the lottery. The 648 applicants who qualified for the social equity lottery will be able to automatically move forward in the next licensing process.
The delay has been met with disappointment from lawmakers, who had hoped to see the market launch sooner. However, the Office of Cannabis Management remains committed to creating a fair and inclusive market, and officials believe that the standard licensing process will allow for the issuance of licenses as early as possible in 2025.
