When will more dispensaries start opening in Minnesota? A cannabis business explainer

A total of 324 licenses will be given out in this spring’s lotteries. Here is a breakdown of the licenses by type. Half of the licenses for each type are reserved for social equity applicants.

On Feb. 17 when the application window opened, OCM also sent feedback to social equity applicants who were denied in the fall, explaining what they needed to fix for resubmission. The state’s social equity program is intended to help people negatively affected by past cannabis prohibition, veterans and people who live in high-poverty areas to compete with better-funded entrepreneurs.

In November, 1,169 of 1,817 social equity applications were denied, leading to criticism that the state should have allowed applicants to fix what they believe were minor paperwork errors. This led to lawsuits against the state, which decided to cancel a lottery in the fall that would have allowed for some licenses to be issued sooner.

Collins defended the process, saying the state’s cannabis laws were designed with the intention to fast-track those who could correctly complete their applications.

“We know that process was complex, but really the vision was that the most prepared could get that early cultivation going,” Collins said.

Edina cannabis attorney Carol Moss said she is particularly frustrated by OCM’s decision to cancel the fall lottery because it worsened the odds for prospective business owners.