|
|
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
August 12, 2025
Important Updates for Local Governments and New Version of the Local Government Guide
Hello Local Government Partners,
We are reaching out to recap several updated resources as well as share the latest licensing developments.
7/18 Local Government Webinar and Follow-Up on Q&A
On July 18, OCM hosted its third local government-specific webinar, reviewing the local approval process and previewing the cannabis event organizer and lower-potency hemp edible licensing processes. Thank you to everyone who participated in the webinar and submitted questions. OCM staff have been able to review and provide answers to questions that were unable to be answered live during the time allotted for the webinar. You can review both the webinar recording and the Q&A responses using the links below.
OCM published version .2 of the Local Government Guide earlier this summer, and we’d like to provide an overview of the changes you’ll see in this version as compared to previous versions since the guide was first launched in July 2024. This latest update includes the legislative changes from the recent 2025 session and reflects guidance developed in response to feedback provided by many of our local partners as they continue to engage with potential cannabis businesses. Please see the list below for the link to the guide as well as for a quick summary of the updates made in this version:
-
A Guide for Local Governments on Adult-Use Cannabis and Lower Potency Hemp Edible Licenses (PDF)
-
Updated license types to include lower-potency hemp edible (LPHE) wholesalers – Page 7
-
Updated licensing process for all license types – Pages 9-15
-
Clarification on retail registration caps – Page 16
-
Tribal government section updated to reflect the compacts – Page 17
-
Tax revenue updates – Page 18
-
Zoning recommendations updated to include new LPHE-wholesaler license – Page 20
-
Local approval process – Pages 22-27
Cannabis Business Licensing Application Windows
As previewed in the webinar, the application window for the cannabis event organizer license and a second application window for the cannabis testing facility license opened on August 1, 2025. Both of these application windows are open and ongoing. The cannabis event organizer license requires specific event local approval first before the applicant is able to submit an application to OCM. An applicant for a cannabis event organizer license is required to submit a signed Local Approval of Cannabis Event form (PDF) in Accela at the time of creating an application. For more information on this, please visit our General Licensing webpage and watch our recent webinar, Navigating the Cannabis Event Organizer License.
Lower-Potency Hemp Edible (LPHE) Business Licensing Application Window
The window for applying for a lower-potency hemp edible license is October 1 – October 31. If you are engaging with a current business that is interested in continuing or starting sales of LPHE products, please refer them to the OCM webpage for more information.
Updated Resources for Applicants
In line with OCM’s commitment to responsiveness and continuous improvement, the office has issued another round of updates to two key resources that support applicants in their licensing journey. The Qualified Applicant Guide and Pathway to Licensure chart have both been updated to better illustrate the detail and importance of working with local governments as they go through their local approvals of cannabis businesses. The pathway chart now includes a checklist of what an applicant should ask themselves before submitting a site registration. OCM hopes that these resources aid in the conversations between potential cannabis businesses and local governments. Please use the links below to access the updated documents.
OCM staff appreciates the local partners who have engaged with the office during their initial conversations with potential cannabis businesses and the local approval processes on Accela. This feedback has driven many of the updates outlined above and continues to be essential to the work OCM does. We encourage all local governments to continue reaching out to OCM with questions and concerns as we progress through this process. Please use cannabis.info@state.mn.us for any general inquiries or concerns. The customer service staff is best equipped to filter and delegate inquiries to the appropriate staff.
If you are experiencing any issues or problems while completing local approvals and zoning compliance certification in Accela or are navigating questions specific to active applicants seeking approvals, please reach out to local.licensing.ocm@state.mn.us. This inbox is specifically for local government inquiries on Accela to support the appropriate response time necessary to support you as local government partners, so please help us manage this by reserving this inbox for Accela-related inquiries. Additionally, please encourage anyone who is interested to subscribe to our email list to receive all of our future bulletins.
If you have specific policy recommendations and language as it pertains to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342, we encourage you to reach out to our local legislative representatives, the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), and OCM. Our office looks forward to partnering with local government partners as we develop our legislative priorities for the upcoming session.
|
|
|
|
