Bill > HF2701

This bill modifies the licensing process for cannabis licenses in Minnesota by requiring the Office of Cannabis Management to prioritize reviewing verified social equity applicants before reviewing general licensing applicants in each licensing period. The bill specifically amends the existing process for license allocation, which currently uses a lottery system when the number of qualified applicants exceeds available licenses. For social equity applicants, if the number of qualified candidates surpasses available licenses, the office will first conduct a lottery among those applicants. Any social equity applicant not selected in this initial lottery will remain in the pool of potential licensees. The new provision ensures that social equity applicants—who are likely individuals from communities historically impacted by cannabis criminalization—are given priority in the licensing review process. The lottery itself must remain impartial and random, with the office determining the specific format, and all applicants will be notified whether they were selected after the lottery's completion. This change aims to provide more equitable access to cannabis business licensing for social equity applicants.

Business and Industry

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF2701&ssn=0&y=2025