Press Release: Office of Cannabis Management accepting applications for next round of CanRenew grant funding for restoring communities negatively impacted by cannabis prohibition

The $10.9 million CanRenew program, established in the 2023 cannabis bill, invests in communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, fostering development, safety, and stability. The application window for this grant opens today and closes on January 12, 2026. By funding projects focused on economic development, social determinants of health, violence prevention, civil labor aid, and youth engagement, CanRenew supports organizations making a meaningful impact in community renewal. CanRenew grant funds are not intended to support cannabis business operations and cannot be used on revenue-generating projects.   

“During the first round of funding, 150 organizations applied for grants, requesting more than $22 million to fund important community programs,” said Jess Jackson, OCM’s director of social equity. “At a time of increasing need and tightening budgets, CanRenew funding has the opportunity to make a difference where it matters most. We are proud to provide financial support to communities to help mitigate the long-lasting effects of cannabis prohibition.”   

During the last opportunity to apply for CanRenew, the program awarded $1 million to eligible organizations throughout the state. Information about grantees selected in the last round are available on OCM’s CanRenew webpage. This round, CanRenew grant awards are expected to range from $2,500 to $2,000,000 depending on the tier level for which they are applied.  

Tier 1 awards for microgrants range from $2,500 to $10,000 and will be available for organizations newer to state funding. Tier 2 awards are available for organizations that have demonstrated the capacity to implement larger projects and range from $50,000 to $2,000,000. They also require higher levels of risk assessment and monitoring.   

Organizations interested in applying for a CanRenew grant must submit a written application that explains their proposed community investment, the community's needs, and the expected positive outcomes. Applications for the grants will be evaluated based on their potential community impact, the organization’s track record of success, and community support for the investment. Priority will be given to applications from organizations with a demonstrated history of successful community investments, community support for the project, and support for youth civic engagement, leadership, and/or youth-led health education opportunities. OCM will give weight to applications where the proposed grant projects will serve areas where residents are eligible to be social equity applicants.  

CanRenew grants are part of a larger collection of state grants that support and provide funding for technical assistance, financial capital, and workforce training for Minnesota’s legal cannabis industry.  OCM also promotes CanGrow to help farmers enter the legal cannabis market. Applications for the next cycle of CanGrow funding will be accepted early next year. Three additional grant programs supporting the state’s legal cannabis industry are overseen by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED): CanStartUp, CanNavigate, and CanTrain. For more information on those grant programs visit DEED’s Support for Cannabis Businesses website.     

For more information on CanRenew and CanGrow grant opportunities and how to apply, please visit the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management website.