We’re one week away from the next event in the social equity mixer series on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 4-6 p.m. CST, held in person at Great River Regional Library in St. Cloud, MN.

This mixer is open to social equity verified applicants, community members, and partners who want to deepen their understanding of municipal processes and build readiness for future licensure. 

Please reserve your spot today! Space is limited, and advance registration is required.  

About this session: From Address to Approval 

This month’s session focuses on the municipal processes that cannabis businesses must navigate to secure a compliant location. Participants will learn how to: 

• Involve local governments  
• Choose a site with intention (and risk awareness) 
• Build a productive relationship with your city or county 
• Figure out next steps if a site is denied 
• Complete retail registration: a separate and critical step 

Speakers will share practical examples, real-world experience, and tools to help attendees approach municipal approval with confidence. 

Program overview 

4 p.m. – Doors open 
4:15 p.m. – Program begins 
5:15 p.m. – Informal networking session 
6 p.m. – Event concludes 

The session will open with a structured discussion led by moderator Jessica Jackson, director of social equity, followed by applied guidance from municipal and business-support partners. After the conversation, participants are invited to stay for an informal networking session to build relationships, exchange ideas, and connect with others invested in equitable access and participation in Minnesota’s cannabis industry. 

This mixer is open to social equity verified applicants, community members, and partners who want to deepen their understanding of municipal processes and build readiness for future licensure. 

Accessibility 

ASL interpretation will be available during the mixer. If you need ADA accommodations or accessibility support, please contact cannabisequity@state.mn.us. 

Community safety

We recognize that community members may be experiencing heightened safety concerns. The library will have standard on-site security; OCM will not have additional security present. The panel will be recorded and shared afterward (not livestreamed). Attendance is optional. Please prioritize your personal safety and participate in the way that feels safest for you.

About the social equity mixer series

The Office of Cannabis Management’s Division of Social Equity is continuing Social Equity in Motion, a statewide initiative designed to embed equity across Minnesota’s cannabis industry. Between February and April 2025, the division refined this approach using community feedback and findings from the Social Equity Verified (SEV) Community Input Survey, which gathered 491 responses from verified individuals across the state. While many respondents reported prior business experience, about one in three were first-time entrepreneurs still building the foundational knowledge needed to navigate compliance, operational readiness, and business planning within a regulated market. 

Guided by these insights and the continuum of readiness model, the Division of Social Equity designed this series to support participants building early-stage operational capacity and the foundational systems necessary for future licensure. 

This mixer is not a licensing Q&A or policy forum. Instead, it is an educational and community-centered space focused on practical tools and shared learning. 

Important note 

This event is for general learning and community connection. It is not the place to ask about the status of individual license applications. Presenters and participants are not involved in licensing decisions. For personal application questions, please contact OCM customer service by completing the form on the Contact Us webpage.