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Feb. 24, 2026
In this issue:
News and Updates
Government Relations Updates
Resources and Reminders
News and Updates
Social equity in motion: supporting readiness across Minnesota
The Office of Cannabis Management’s Division of Social Equity (DSE) is continuing its Social Equity in Motion initiative through a statewide Social Equity Mixer Series. Jess Jackson, DSE director, says, “Our grant programs in the state offer more in-depth technical assistance for applicants for the long term, but we needed another initial touch base for very early-stage cannabis entrepreneurs who have less experience within the continuum of readiness.” These events are designed for applicants who are social equity verified and others preparing to enter Minnesota’s cannabis industry.
The series was shaped by feedback from 491 individuals with verified social equity status who responded to the Social Equity Verified Community Input Survey. While many had prior business experience, about 1 in 3 participants identified as first-time entrepreneurs. Many shared that they are still building foundational knowledge around compliance, business planning and operational systems.
In response, DSE staff created the mixer series to focus on practical education and peer learning. These events are not licensing Q&A sessions or policy forums. Rather, they provide straightforward information, shared experiences, and tools to help participants prepare for long-term success.
So far, the mixers have covered the following topics:
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Been There, Done That – Real Talk on Cannabis Licensing focused on the realities of the licensing process, common challenges, and what applicants should understand before moving forward. (November 2025)
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New Year, New SOPs – Building the Systems Your Cannabis Business Needs: Participants discussed standard operating procedures and the internal systems required to run a compliant, sustainable business. (January 2026 recording)
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From Address to Approval – Navigating Local Government Review and Retail Registration covered zoning, site registration, setbacks, and working with cities and counties. A key message: confirm zoning early and build local relationships before signing leases. (February 2026 recording)
Based on participant feedback the mixers have been “very impactful.” One participant went on to say, “It's great to hear from the experience and people that have been there. And it's also great to hear the questions and to network with people in the same industry so that we can work together to be successful in a business.”
 Panel at Nov. 17 social equity mixer. Panelists L-R Mary Pryor, Josh Wilkensimon, Calandra Revering, Anthony Newby, Travis Cullen
Connecting with Community Listening Tour kicks off in Duluth on March 13
Join us at the first event in the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) Connecting with Community Listening Tour from 3-4:15 p.m. on March 13, in Duluth! The listening tour is designed to provide the general public with an overview of the OCM’s work and explain how the office regulates the cannabis industry in Minnesota. Most importantly, the event will give our office the opportunity to answer questions and gain valuable insights from local communities across the state.
- An overview of the role of OCM
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A regulatory and cannabis market update
- Listening portion followed by Q&A with OCM staff and executive director
Who should attend: Everyone! The listening tour is a great opportunity to learn more about the current state of the cannabis market or to ask any cannabis-related questions you have been curious about. We’re in the process of planning additional stops on the listening tour. If this location isn’t convenient location for you, stay tuned for future dates and locations around the state where you can join us in conversation.
Register to attend. Due to room capacity, registrations will be capped at 200.
If you have any questions, please contact OCM customer service by completing the form on OCM's Contact Us webpage.
Lake Superior College
Commons Room M255
2101 Trinity Road, Duluth, MN 55811
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Licensing and market update
More businesses are receiving licenses and entering the cannabis market each week! As of Feb. 17, the number of cannabis licenses OCM has issued is up to 150 (37 of which are licensed for cultivation activities). In addition, OCM has issued more than 1,100 lower-potency hemp edible (LPHE) retailer licenses.
As reported by the Star Tribune's Matt DeLong, last week, Minnesota’s growing adult-use cannabis market reached a milestone: Around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, Frostbite Dispensary in Roseville recorded the first sale of cannabis flower grown by a state-licensed microbusiness in our seed-to-sale tracking system! Pound Town was the strain, and it was cultivated by Greenest Pastures in Hinckley. Congratulations!
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Government Relations Updates
Hemp bills introduced on the federal level
Various bills have been introduced in the U.S. Congress to address the impending ban on hemp products set to take place Nov. 12, 2026. The first set of bills seeks to delay the ban by two years: Senators Klobuchar (MN), Paul (KY), and Merkley (OR) introduced the bill in the U.S. Senate, while Representative Baird (IN) put the bill forward in the U.S. House, along with co-author Representative Craig (MN).
Additionally, Representative Griffith (WV) introduced the HEMP Act, which would establish a federal regulatory structure for both intoxicating and non-intoxicating hemp products. While these bills have bipartisan support, it remains unclear whether any additional federal action will occur before the ban on hemp-derived products goes into effect in November 2026 with the potential for significant impact on the current industry in the state
The office will continue to implement Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342, and issue lower-potency hemp edible business licenses as charged. As new information is available on the impacts of the new federal legislation and action on Minnesota, the office will make it available to impacted businesses.
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Minnesota Legislative Session begins
The 2026 Legislative Session is underway as of Feb. 17, kicking off a policy (versus budget) focused year, and a relatively short session. OCM is recommending a series of legislative proposals this year, and we welcome collaboration with anyone planning to engage in the legislative process with proposals of their own. Learn more about the office’s legislative recommendations. As a reminder, these proposals require legislative action and approval in order to be passed into law. The office encourages folks to engage in the legislative process and contact your local legislators if you have ideas or concerns about how to change the current cannabis law.
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Resources and Reminders
Planning a cannabis event? Prepare now for 4/20 and the summer event season
The biggest cannabis holiday is right around the corner! If you are planning to host an event on 4/20, please ensure you submit a complete Cannabis Event license application at least 30 days prior to the event. That means to host an event on 4/20, the last day you can apply for an event license is March 21.
This license authorizes the holder to plan and host a temporary cannabis-related event in Minnesota. Pursuant to Minnesota law, cannabis events must be limited to persons aged 21 or older and may not include the sale or consumption of alcohol or tobacco. Cannabis events may feature the on-site sale and use of adult-use cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products. Event organizers may host multiday events, provided that the event does not exceed four consecutive days in duration.
This license type is temporary, and a new license must be obtained for each event. All cannabis event activities require local approval, including but not limited to any permits or licenses required by the applicable local unit of government and specific approval of on-site consumption areas. Event organizers must obtain this approval before submitting an application to OCM and provide proof of local approval as part of the application.
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Changes to patient self-evaluation requirements for medical cannabis patients
The Office of Cannabis Management updated how often patient self-evaluations (PSEs) are required for patients in the medical cannabis registry. This change took effect on Jan. 22, 2026, and aligns registry processes with Minnesota Rules, part 9810.2502, subpart 3, which sets requirements for when patient self-evaluations must be completed.
Previously, patients were required to complete a new PSE before every medical cannabis purchase. Now, PSEs are only required on a quarterly basis during a patient’s first year following their first medical cannabis purchase, rather than before every purchase.
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