Minnesota has received more than 3,500 applications from prospective pot entrepreneurs for the first round of marijuana business licenses expected to be issued later this spring, according to data released Wednesday by the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).
The total includes 1,444 social equity applications that remain active after a previous license lottery was canceled late last year. An additional 2,085 applications were received during a monthlong window that closed March 16. That tally includes 297 social equity applications and 1,788 general applications for a range of available license types, such as cannabis retailer, cultivator and manufacturer licenses.
That means as many as 2,100 applicants could be eligible to receive licenses that allow them to operate at least one retail marijuana store in coming months, while 2,000 businesses could be permitted to cultivate cannabis in varying amounts.
However, the universe of possible licensees could shrink significantly as the OCM reviews applications. Some applicants may not meet minimum qualifications or could decide to withdraw from the process entirely.
Read more at The Minnesota Star Tribune