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May 1, 2025
In this issue:
News and Updates
Resources and Reminders
News and updates
Cannabis rules approved by administrative law judge
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced that the rules governing Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market were published in the State Register on April 14 – the final step in making them officially adopted and in effect. The rules—Minnesota Rules, part 9810—were approved by an administrative law judge (ALJ) without changes on April 2. Publishing the rules allows OCM to begin issuing business licenses to applicants who have completed all necessary steps in the application process.
“The adoption of rules is the most significant step to launching the cannabis market because the office cannot issue business licenses until they are in place,” said Interim Director Eric Taubel. “The judge’s approval of our proposed rules without changes shows that we did our work to engage with the prospective cannabis business community and put together a reasonable structure for ensuring consistency, safety, and equity in Minnesota’s cannabis industry.”
There are currently more than a thousand qualified applicants for social equity licenses—about half of whom applied for license types that are not capped in statute and will not be subject to lotteries—who are first in line to receive business licenses after completing application requirements, which include completing background checks, submitting signed labor peace agreements with bona fide labor organizations, and securing local government approvals.
Visit our Rulemaking page for more information on the cannabis rules.
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 Caption: Unsure of what steps are involved in getting a cannabis business license? We want to help! The document above walks through the licensing process from start to finish. Select the image to download the PDF.
Updated license application data now available
Are you interested in how we’re progressing on reviewing applications for cannabis business licenses? OCM has posted updated summary data to our Summary Application Data webpage showing the total number of cannabis business license applications broken out by license type and current application status.
The data include applications from both last fall’s license preapproval process and the general licensing cycle that closed on March 14. OCM will update this table as the application review process continues, and we process the pending applications.
Visit our Summary Application webpage to access the latest figures.
Now accepting applications for CanGrow farmer training and loan grants
OCM opened the grant application window for CanGrow farmer training and loan grants on April 22. CanGrow farmer training grants will fund eligible organizations to provide educational materials, training, and technical support to farmers who want to enter or expand into the legal cannabis industry. Project categories eligible for funding will be outlined in the request for proposals. CanGrow farmer loan grants will fund nonprofit corporations to assist farmers by providing low-interest loans for entering the legal cannabis industry. This initiative aims to accelerate market entry and growth for farmers ready to start or expand their farms, avoid costs and risks for farmers at all stages of readiness, and reduce compliance risks, costs, and infractions for cannabis farms.
Learn more by watching a recording of a webinar on our grant programs (we start talking about CanGrow at the 25-minute mark) or by visiting the CanGrow webpage.
If you are interested in learning more about the CanGrow grant and want to meet with OCM staff, please reach out using our speaker request form.
OCM will also be hosting three informational webinars to guide prospective CanGrow grant applicants through the request for proposals process. Register at the links below:
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Resources and reminders
Updated guidance for local governments
Cities, counties, and townships play an important role in Minnesota’s cannabis licensing process, serving as a near-final approval check on cannabis and hemp businesses. Applicants are required by state law to obtain a local government’s certification of zoning compliance as part of the application process. Local governments may also choose to approve (or delegate) retail business registration—key requirements for businesses to be licensed by OCM.
Now that the adult-use license application window has closed and rules are in effect, qualified applicants in uncapped license categories have begun to receive preliminary OCM approval and move on to begin registering business sites. Cannabis license applicants, for uncapped license types, may begin seeking zoning compliance certification and local retail registration as soon as this month.
Local government administrators, please take the following steps:
Note: Registering for zoning compliance authority is distinct from the local retail registration process. For example, a city may certify zoning compliance for proposed cannabis businesses but delegate retail registration authority.
Technical standards for sampling and testing cannabis products
OCM has developed compliance testing requirements for cannabis and hemp products manufactured or sold by businesses licensed by the office.
Analytical testing of cannabis for contaminants and potency is increasingly recognized as a critical and necessary component of the industry for several reasons:
- Laboratory testing minimizes the risk of pesticides, microbes, heavy metals, toxins, and residual solvents from being consumed.
- Quantification of cannabinoid profiles and potency ensures consistency with labeling and aids in determining appropriate consumption for individual use.
- Laboratory testing evaluates safety and quality for consumers and medical patients.
Download Technical Standards for Sampling and Testing Cannabis Products and check out the technical standards webpage.
Register to attend the informational session on May 2 at 2 p.m.
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