Minnesota
Hopeful marijuana retailers worried Minnesota won’t license until 2026
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota’s marijuana marketplace is moving so slowly, a lot of hopeful retailers don’t expect to get to business until 2026.
They’re seeing the timeline move further away as the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) sorts through its first round of license applications.
High aspirations, low expectations
Dirt covers the ground where Shawn Weber wishes he could be growing marijuana.
He’s a Vikings fan, so he says he lives with high aspirations and low expectations, and that applies to his hopes for cannabis licensing.
“Everybody that is either interested or in the industry, we’re in a hurry up and wait situation,” Weber, who owns Crested River Cannabis in Morgan, Minnesota, told FOX 9.
Legal cannabis longer than expected
Legislators didn’t expect to wait this long between legalization and licensing when they introduced the bill in January 2023.
“I think it would be a matter of months not years before you would be able to be in a legal marketplace,” said one of the authors, Rep. Zack Stephenson, (DFL-Coon Rapids).
Nor four months later, when the governor signed the bill.
“That will probably take 12–18 months,” Rep. Stephenson said of propping up the Office of Cannabis Management and preparing for retail licensing – that was now 17 months ago.
What’s taking so long?
Since this August, the Office of Cannabis Management has been reviewing more than 1800 social equity business applications.
What seems to be slowing the process is confirming the applicants are the real owners of the business and not just a face propped up by an out-of-state corporation.
“They’re trying to figure out how they can make sure that these people aren’t getting more than one license and all this stuff,” said Rep. Nolan West, (R-Blaine). “That’s just a waste of time.”
Rep. West supported legalization, but says people can transfer licenses so easily this review is almost meaningless.
Current timeline
“We continue to be on track to hold a lottery before the end of this year and will not sacrifice a thorough review for expediency,” said OCM spokesperson Jim Walker in a statement to FOX 9.
In their best-case scenario, the lottery for pre-approval of the first 282 licenses would happen at the 19-month mark.
Actual licensing can’t happen until general applications are sorted, and a second lottery is held.
OCM interim director Charlene Briner has said it’ll happen by March – 22 months after legalization.
Several applicants are telling FOX 9 they’re skeptical it’ll happen before 2026.
‘Remain patient’
Weber’s still hoping for the best and prepared for the worst.
“They’re doing their due diligence,” he said. “It’s never going to be fast enough for us. But, you know, just remain patient.”
Minnesota is on pace to be the fifth slowest of 23 states to go from legalization to legal sales.
In fact, Ohio legalized it six months after Minnesota and already started retail sales.
MN weather: More pleasant sunshine on Tuesday
It’s another beautiful day on Tuesday with plenty of afternoon sunshine and the occasional high cloud drifting by. Temperatures remain above average with a high of 72 degrees in the Twin Cities metro. FOX 9 meteorologist Cody Matz has your forecast.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Another bright and sunny day with comfortable temperatures for your Tuesday.
Tuesday forecast
It’s a cool start Tuesday morning with temperatures in the upper 40s across much of the state. In parts of northeastern Minnesota, things are even cooler with temperatures in the 30s and pocket 20s, with some areas experiencing patchy spots of frost.
Things heat up nicely on Tuesday, reaching the lower 70s across much of the state and the upper 70s in southwestern Minnesota. Northern Minnesota remains slightly cooler, with highs in the 60s.
The day will be pleasant, with little to no breeze, beautiful sunshine, and the occasional high cloud passing through. Overnight, the sky remains clear and calm as temperatures fall into the 40s across much of the state.
Looking ahead
The warming trend continues through midweek, with highs nearing 80 degrees in southwestern Minnesota and in the mid-70s for the metro. The heat peaks on Thursday with temperatures in the lower 80s. Typically, the last 80-degree day of the year is at the beginning of October, so enjoy the warmth before cooler weather eventually sets in.
By Friday, temperatures dip back into the mid-70s and return closer to seasonable for the weekend. The start of the week is looking cooler with highs in the upper 50s expected for Monday.
Here’s a look at your seven-day forecast:
The Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association latest rankings did have some changes this week with the playoffs beginning in a couple weeks.
In Class A Kenyon-Wanamingo did appear on one ballot after defeating state-ranked Class AAA Stewartville in four sets last week. Mayer Lutheran is in the top spot bumping Russell-Tyler-Ruthton to #2 after RTR lost to Watertown, South Dakota.
Mabel-Canton started the season in top spot and is now rated #4 with only 2 losses on their record. Alden-Conger received votes.
Class AA Belle Plaine is still #1, Chatfield dropped from #2 to #3 despite sweeping a very good Class AAA Byron team. The Gophers also lost to Class AAAA Rosemount.
Caledonia is #4 with a loss to Byron last week.
Class AAA Delano still sits at top position with Marshall #2 and Northfield #3. Byron dropped from #4 to #7, Stewartville was among others receiving votes.
Class AAAA Champlin Park stays at #1 with just two losses. #2 Lakeville South, #3 Lakeville North with South defeating North last week. The two will be at the Lakeville North Tournament this weekend.
The South Suburban Conference has 4 of the top 7 ranked teams in Class AAAA.
Complete poll results are listed below.
Class A
1. Mayer Lutheran
2. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton
3. New Life Academy
4. Mabel-Canton
5. Minneota
6. Canby
7. MACCRAY
8. West Central
9. Kittson County Central
10.Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
Also Receiving Votes: Alden-Conger
Class AA
1. Belle Plaine
2. Albany
3. Chatfield
4. Caledonia
5. Hawley
6. Concordia Academy
7. Sauk Centre
8. Southwest Christian
9. Annandale
10.Redwood Valley
Also Receiving Votes: Legacy Christian, Pequot Lakes, St. Croix Lutheran
Class AAA
1. Delano
2. Marshall
3. Northfield
4. Willmar
5. Alexandria
6. North Branch
7. Byron
8. Mahtomedi
9. Holy Angels
10.Rocori
Also Receiving Votes: Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Stewartville, Monticello, Princeton
Class AAAA
1. Champlin Park
2. Lakeville South
3. Lakeville North
4. Eagan
5. Rogers
6. East Ridge
7. Prior Lake
8. Wayzata
9. Waconia
10.Chaska
Also Receiving Votes: Chanhassen, Roseville, St. Michael-Albertville, Park Cottage Grove
LOOK: The biggest scams today and how you can protect yourself from them
Minnesota
Minnesota Wild Signs Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to Two-year Contract Extension | Minnesota Wild
Wallstedt, 21 (11/14/02), made three starts for Minnesota during the 2023-24 season, posting a 2-1-0 record with a 3.01 goals-against average (GAA) and a .897 save percentage (SV%). The 6-foot-3, 214-pound native of Vasteras, Sweden, recorded his first career NHL shutout and win at Chicago on April 7, stopping all 24 shots faced in the 4-0 victory. He made his NHL debut at Dallas on Jan. 10, 2024. Wallstedt also went 22-19-6 with a 2.70 GAA, .910 SV% and two shutouts in 45 games with the Iowa Wild during the 2023-24 American Hockey League (AHL) season. Wallstedt was twice named Howie’s Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week during the 2023-24 campaign, earning the honor for the week ending Nov. 5 after going 2-0-0 with a .950 SV% in two starts and again for the week ending Dec. 3 after going 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .965 SV% in two starts.
Police at UCLA investigating after reports of students drugged at frat parties
The Detroit SMACKDOWN: Techno vs. Aaliyah vs. Aretha Franklin : It's Been a Minute
Kentucky manhunt enters third day as officers hack through thickets with machetes: 'Like a jungle'
Where did it go wrong? Here's how San Francisco Unified's issues led to school closures
Dallas Cowboys add former Auburn wide receiver
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
North Carolina residents will see changes to early voting after Hurricane Helene
TikTok faces new lawsuits in the US accusing it of harming children
The Supreme Court appears to have found a gun regulation it actually likes
Kamala 2.0’s challenge? Making more news, and not just with ultra-friendly hosts
Borrell-to-Kallas: Will EU lose its balance in its Middle East policy?
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25439572/VRG_TEC_Textless.jpg "Charter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year")
Technology6 days agoCharter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year
-
World5 days agoUkrainian stronghold Vuhledar falls to Russian offensive after two years of bombardment
-
World6 days agoWikiLeaks’ Julian Assange says he pleaded ‘guilty to journalism’ in order to be freed
-
Technology5 days agoBeware of fraudsters posing as government officials trying to steal your cash
-
Health3 days agoHealth, happiness and helping others are vital parts of free and responsible society, Founding Fathers taught
-
Virginia7 days agoStatus for Daniels and Green still uncertain for this week against Virginia Tech; Reuben done for season
-
Sports4 days agoFreddie Freeman says his ankle sprain is worst injury he's ever tried to play through
-
News3 days agoLebanon says 50 medics killed in past three days as Israel extends its bombardment