Minnesota Prepares For Historic Social Equity Lottery With 1,817 Applications For 280 Cannabis Licenses, Mostly Vets
In Minnesota, thousands of applicants will be competing for social equity licenses as the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) prepares for its first-ever lottery to distribute licenses.
These licenses will grant 280 fortunate winners the ability to grow, process, and sell cannabis, selected from a pool of 1,817 pre-applicants.
Veterans Lead The Charge
Military veterans and individuals with prior marijuana convictions make up the majority of those qualifying for social equity status under Minnesota’s new cannabis law, according to MinnPost. This designation offers them the first opportunity to enter the industry—a crucial step for those unfairly impacted by the “war on drugs.”
A significant factor in the high number of social equity applicants is a change made by Minnesota regulators in March 2024. The state expanded its cannabis law to include all military veterans in its …