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August 28, 2025
In this issue:
News and Updates
Government Relations Updates
Resources and Reminders
News and Updates
Governor Walz appoints Eric Taubel as executive director of OCM
On August 13, Governor Tim Walz announced that Eric Taubel will serve as executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Taubel has been in the role in an interim capacity since January after serving as the office’s first general counsel.
“Eric Taubel’s stewardship of the Office of Cannabis Management over the past eight months has ensured that the priorities that drove cannabis legalization in Minnesota are reflected in Minnesota’s emerging market,” said Governor Walz. “Under his experienced leadership, I am confident that OCM and the Minnesota cannabis industry will continue to prioritize public health and safety, consumer confidence, and market integrity.”
“I am honored to be appointed by Governor Walz as the executive director of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management,” said Eric Taubel. “Serving the people of Minnesota has been a privilege. I look forward to continuing to work with the dedicated and talented public servants at OCM as we launch Minnesota’s cannabis market.”
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CanRenew grantees announced
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management recently announced that 10 organizations have been awarded funding from the CanRenew grant program to help fund projects addressing a range of community needs, including economic development, public health, violence prevention, youth development, and civil legal aid.
Approximately 150 organizations applied for the grants, requesting more than $22 million for their projects and services. The $1 million CanRenew program, established by the Minnesota Legislature in the 2023 cannabis bill, invests in communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, fostering development, safety, and stability.
CanRenew grant funds are not intended to support cannabis business operations and cannot be used on revenue-generating projects, but instead are intended to help make a meaningful and positive impact on their communities.
DEED awards grants to support Minnesota’s legal cannabis industry
On August 21, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced $3.6 million in funding to help businesses enter Minnesota’s new adult-use cannabis industry, and to train workers for jobs in the cannabis field.
Two of DEED’s programs–CanNavigate and CanStartup–will provide technical assistance and increase access to capital for business owners looking to start and grow cannabis businesses in Minnesota. The third–CanTrain–provides grants to workforce training organizations to provide job training to Minnesotans looking to work in the cannabis industry. All three programs are designed to support entrepreneurs or workers from underserved communities.
DEED’s three programs came out of the 2023 legislative session when lawmakers legalized adult-use cannabis in Minnesota. DEED is working closely with the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and other state agencies to support business owners seeking licenses to operate in Minnesota and to contribute to growing Minnesota’s cannabis sector.
New packaging and labeling guidance available
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As OCM’s policies have been updated to reflect changes made in the previous legislative session, the office has also updated various guidance documents including:
These guides are tools for applicants, licensees, and local government staff to navigate the regulatory landscape as licenses continue to be rolled out. Information on how many licenses have been issued can be tracked on OCM’s Summary Application Data page.
Reminder: Pathway to Licensure Checklist
Earlier this summer, we added a checklist to the Pathway to Licensure document that clarifies the steps applicants need to take (and necessary documents) to move from preliminarily approved status to receiving their cannabis business license. These steps are also outlined in the Qualified Applicant Guide. Check it out below.
  Select image to access PDF
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Resources and Reminders
Register your hemp business by August 31
OCM is accepting registrations for businesses seeking to sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs) to consumers. Businesses that sell HDCPs but are not registered with the Office of Cannabis Management are in violation of Minnesota law and will be subject to enforcement action including the destruction of all the business’s HDCPs and penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation.
The registration window closes this Sunday, August 31, making it possible for unregistered businesses to become eligible to sell HDCPs, including hemp-derived THC beverages, during the busy summer season. OCM also announced that starting October 1 and continuing through October 31, it will accept business license applications for three license types: lower-potency hemp edible retailers, lower-potency hemp edible manufacturers, and lower-potency hemp edible wholesalers. License application guidance and materials will be made available on the OCM website in advance of the October application period.
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Request a speaker to learn more about OCM community programs
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OCM enjoys going out in the community and participating in forums, meetings, and other opportunities that keep us engaged with our external partners. Our community engagement ranges from general overviews about OCM to subject-specific discussions. We would like to meet with you to share upcoming grant opportunities!
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Applications for cannabis event organizer and testing facility licenses now open
OCM is accepting applications for cannabis event organizer licenses and cannabis testing facilities. This is an open-ended opportunity for event organizer and testing facility applicants, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more about the cannabis event organizer license and the testing facility license on the Available License Types webpage. Additional guidance on hosting cannabis events can be found on the Hosting Cannabis Events webpage.
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