Certain Minnesotans — like veterans and people convicted of cannabis possession before it became legal — can begin the application process on Monday to secure the first cannabis business licenses in the state.
The Minnesota Legislature this year signed off on a "preapproval" licensing process for the Office of Cannabis Management, allowing regulators to give the green light to some businesses sooner rather than later to plan accordingly — even as rulemaking continues in anticipation of a market launch in 2025. The first step in that process — verifying that someone meets the criteria to get an early license — has begun.
In order to qualify, Minnesotans need to meet the criteria of a "social equity applicant." Those include veterans, farmers just starting their careers in agriculture, residents from neighborhoods with high levels of poverty and people convicted of certain possession or sale of cannabis before lawmakers legalized it last year, among others.
State regulators will first vet applications to make sure individuals qualify. If verified as a social equity applicant, Minnesotans can apply for the license. That portal opens a month later on July 24 and applicants need to supply all information necessary according to statute, including detailed plans for operating the business, employee training, security and overall experience in the industry.
Read more at cbsnews.com