Important Updates for Local Governments and New Version of the Local Government Guide

Hello Local Partners -  

Thank you for your continued partnership and coordination in the launch of the new adult-use cannabis industry. We appreciate you as important partners in this continued work. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to OCM at cannabis.info@state.mn.us with any questions, concerns, or other general opportunities to connect. For regular newsletter updates that include helpful reminders for local governments, please sign up for the OCM Insider newsletter. 

NEW: Updated Local Government Guide is Now Live 

OCM has continued to engage with local governments to better understand the concerns as we progress through the licensing process. As a result of this continuous and helpful feedback as well as to reflect all legislative changes, OCM has updated our resources for local governments, most notably by launching a new version of our Local Government Guide. First published in June 2024, this updated version – Version 4.0 – reflects the changes made during the 2025 legislative session, including guidance specific to questions from local partners, licensing application windows ahead for cannabis event organizers, and the new process for lower-potency hemp edible licensing coming this fall. We encourage all our local partners to bookmark the updated guide and keep it available for easy reference. Please be sure to check publishing/version dates of your guidance materials and utilize this newest version. 

2025 Legislative Session Changes 

This past legislative session, laws around cannabis were amended to help facilitate launching the cannabis industry and provide clarity and consistency in statute. SF 2370 was passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Walz, taking effect on May 27. One of the most important changes was the change to the local retail registration process under Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22. The changes now allow for a local government with retail registration authority to issue local retail registration to applicants with preliminary approval status or a valid license issued by the office.  

For more information on the updates made to local retail registration, please see OCM’s June 4 bulletin.  

For a summary of the policy changes included in the cannabis policy omnibus bill, please see 2025 Legislative Changes to Chapter 342. 

OCM Licensing Updates + Upcoming Application Windows 

OCM issued the first cannabis business license on Wednesday, June 18, to Herb Quest LLC in Brook Park, MN. Read the first license press release. Summary Application Data / Office of Cannabis Management is regularly updated to show the current status of applications and licenses. As a reminder, preliminary approval status is not tied to a specific location, so location information is not available in this summary table and local governments are not notified when an applicant receives preliminary approval, only once a preliminarily approved applicant submits their site location information. Review the From Start to License: Your Path to Cannabis Licensing in Minnesota overview of the step-by-step application process. 

On August 1, OCM will open a new and ongoing application window for cannabis testing facilities, which are not limited in quantity in state law and are critical to establishing the supply chain for the state’s cannabis industry.     

Also on August 1, OCM will begin accepting applications for cannabis event organizer licenses. This will be an open-ended opportunity for applicants, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. The cannabis event organizer license authorizes the holder to plan and host temporary cannabis-related events in Minnesota. Pursuant to Minnesota law, cannabis events must be limited to ages 21 and older and may not include the sale or consumption of alcohol. In addition to updating the Local Government Guide, OCM has launched an updated webpage specific to hosting cannabis-related or Cannabis Events. 

Then, starting October 1, OCM will begin accepting applications for lower-potency hemp edible licenses for LPHE-retailers, LPHE-manufacturers, and LPHE-wholesalers. Until then, registered hemp-derived businesses may continue operations under section 151.72. For more information about LPHE licensing and current businesses registered to sell hemp-derived products, please visit our webpage. 

Preparing Local Governments for the Licensing Process – Accela and C+D Forms 

Local governments serve an important role in application and licensing process through the zoning compliance certification process (including fire and building codes, if applicable) and the local retail registration process.  

• If you have not yet completed the ​Local Unit of Government Cannabis Licensing Contact and Delegation Form, please do so as soon as possible.  

• If you have not created an Accela account for your local government yet, please do so as soon as you can.  

• Information on registering can be found in the Local Government Accela Registration Guide.  

Please note that the email used to create this Accela account needs to match the primary contact email in your submission of the ​Local Unit of Government Cannabis Licensing Contact and Delegation Form. If you need to correct or update a past submission of the Contact and Delegation Form, please do so using the same link.