Minnesota Canna Grants & Programs
While recreational marijuana becomes effectively legal in the state on August 1, 2023, retail sales (outside expedited licenses) are not expected to begin until the first quarter of 2025.
In the intervening period, Minnesota hopes to license new cannabis businesses and bring both its medical cannabis program as well as the regulation of low-potency hemp edibles under the oversight of the newly established Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).
Minnesota Canna Business Grants
UPDATED: 11/15/24
The cannabis legalization bill in Minnesota includes grant programs to support cannabis entrepreneurs. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will oversee programs such as Cannabis Industry Startup Financing Grants, Navigation Grants, and Training Grants. These programs aim to promote the success of the legal cannabis industry through technical assistance, loan capital, and workforce development training, with a focus on supporting social equity applicants and their communities.
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OCM's Division of Social Equity Grants:
OCM Youtube | CanRenew and CanGrow Grant Overview (11-15-24)
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​CanGrow
The request for proposals/application timeline is expected to be announced in early 2025. These grants will help eligible organizations provide educational resources, guidance, and low-interest loans for farmers who want to be part of the legal cannabis industry. While grants will be awarded to eligible organizations, Minnesota farmers will ultimately benefit by expert mentorship, compliance training, business planning resources, and low-interest loans. CanGrow will support farmers navigating the legal cannabis industry by providing access to regulatory services and resources from trusted experts and community-based organizations. This initiative aims to accelerate market entry and growth for farmers ready to start or expand their farms, avoid costs and risks for farmers at all stages of readiness, and reduce compliance risks, costs, and infractions for cannabis farms.
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Total annual available funding is $1 million in fiscal year 2025. Grant awards for technical assistance in the first round of funding are expected to range from $10,000 to $50,000 per project. Grant awards for loan financing are expected to range from $200,000 to $500,000 per eligible organization (individual farmer loans will range from $2,500 to $50,000 or up to $150,000 for projects with matching funds). OCM intends to fund investments in eligible communities throughout the state. This is a competitive grant program.
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CanRenew
CanRenew will provide grants to eligible organizations for investments in communities where long-term residents are eligible to be social equity applicants.​ ​Projects will address a range of community needs, including economic development, public health, violence prevention, youth development, and civil legal aid. The request for proposals/applications are expected to open in first quarter 2025. Grantees are expected to be announced in spring 2025, with projects starting around June 1, 2025. Funds must be used within a one-year period, with operations starting within 90 days of the award notice.
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Total annual available funding is $1 million in fiscal year 2025. Grant awards for the first round of funding are expected to range from $50,000 to $200,000 per project. OCM intends to fund investments in eligible communities throughout the state. This is a competitive grant program.
Grant Programs Avaiable through DEED
The MN Department of Revenue Deed Landing page has now been set up. Please go there for state updates! https://mn.gov/deed/business/cannabis/​
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CanStartup Program
The CanStartup program offers loans to new cannabis microbusinesses. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will grant funds to nonprofit corporations through a competitive process. The selected nonprofit corporations will then provide loans to eligible cannabis microbusinesses, with a priority given to social equity applicants. The loans range from $2,500 to $50,000 and can be up to $150,000 with private matching funds. The loans are intended for cannabis microbusinesses that are unlikely to undertake the project without assistance from this program.​
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CanNavigate Program
The CanNavigate Program will provide grants to eligible organizations to assist individuals in navigating the regulatory framework of the legal cannabis industry. Grant funds awarded to eligible organizations can be used to develop technical assistance resources related to the regulatory structure of the legal cannabis industry and to provide technical assistance or navigation services to individuals.
CanTrain Program
The CanTrain program will provide grants to eligible organizations to create and execute a workforce development program. This program will offer support, navigation services, and training to individuals seeking a career in the legal cannabis industry. Additionally, the CanTrain program will award grants to eligible individuals to pursue training programs that lead to a career in the legal cannabis industry. These grants will cover tuition, fees, material costs, and support services to help individuals overcome external barriers to success.
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Programs
The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) offers grants through the Partnership and Pathways programs. These grants are available to accredited Minnesota educational institutions and public, private, or nonprofit organizations that provide employment services to low-income individuals. The grants are intended for training new workers and existing employees of partnering businesses. Additionally, MJSP provides pre-development grants to help plan training programs for large-scale projects focused on high-wage, high-growth, and high-skill occupations. In line with program requirements, tribal and licensed legal cannabis businesses, in partnership with an accredited Minnesota educational institution or public, private, or nonprofit organization, are eligible to apply.
Job Training Incentive Program
The Job Training Incentive Program offers grants to new or expanding businesses in Greater Minnesota. Its purpose is to swiftly and effectively train new workers. Grant funds can be used for direct training costs provided in-house, by higher education institutions, federal, state, or local agencies, or private training or educational providers. Tribal and licensed legal cannabis businesses are also eligible to apply, in line with other program requirements.
Automation Training Incentive Program
The Automation Training Incentive Program offers grants to existing businesses to train workers quickly and efficiently in new automation technology. The program is open to small businesses in Greater Minnesota in the manufacturing or skilled assembly production industry that are investing in new automation technology. Tribal and licensed legal cannabis businesses are eligible to apply, and those in partnership with an accredited Minnesota educational institution are also eligible to apply.