Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management Issues First Business License
- Carpfish Creative
- Jul 14, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Upcoming License Application Opportunities
June 18, 2025
St. Paul, Minn. – Today, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced a significant milestone: the issuance of the first cannabis business license in Minnesota. The inaugural licensee, Herb Quest, LLC, is a microbusiness based in Brook Park, Pine County. Their primary focus will be the outdoor cultivation of cannabis plants.
“Issuing the first business license is a major milestone for the office,” said OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel. “**With our first licensed cultivator now able to begin growing plants, and more than 600 businesses within the final steps of completing their applications and securing approvals from local governments, we are now seeing the first pieces of Minnesota’s adult-use market fall into place.”**
Verification of Social Equity Status
Prospective applicants can verify their social equity status from July 7 at 12:01 a.m. until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. Recent changes to Minnesota’s cannabis law have expanded the criteria for social equity status. This now includes applicants who have received stays of adjudication and adjudications of delinquency.
OCM will proactively review submissions from individuals whose social equity status was previously denied under the old criteria. Those whose status is now verified will be informed accordingly. Completing social equity verification is not mandatory for obtaining a cannabis business license. However, it is essential for individuals who wish to apply for a cannabis business license with a social equity classification or for those intending to buy into a pre-existing cannabis business license that includes a social equity component.
Individuals who have already verified their social equity status do not need to seek verification again. For more information about the social equity verification process, including qualifying criteria and guidance, please visit OCM’s Social Equity Verification Process webpage.
New Application Window for Cannabis Testing Facilities
On August 1, OCM will open a new and ongoing application window for cannabis testing facilities. These facilities are crucial for establishing the supply chain in Minnesota’s cannabis industry. State law does not limit the number of testing facilities that can operate.
Recent legislative changes have introduced a license variance process for cannabis testing facility applicants. This change aims to address potential bottlenecks in testing capacity. It allows applicants to obtain a license while they await accreditation from the International Standards Organization (ISO).
“ISO accreditation is a lengthy process, so we wanted to provide a shorter runway for labs who wish to enter Minnesota’s cannabis market in such an essential way while also helping other cannabis business owners get up and running with safe, tested products,” said Max Zappia, OCM’s chief regulatory officer. **“Having testing facilities with capacity is essential to our mission to establish an equitable cannabis industry that prioritizes public health and safety, consumer confidence, and market integrity.”
Applications for Cannabis Event Organizer Licenses
Also starting on August 1, OCM will begin accepting applications for cannabis event organizer licenses. This will be an open-ended opportunity for applicants, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. The cannabis event organizer license allows the holder to plan and host temporary cannabis-related events in Minnesota.
According to Minnesota law, cannabis events must be limited to individuals aged 21 and older. These events cannot include the sale or consumption of alcohol. However, they may feature the on-site sale and use of adult-use cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products. Event organizers can host multi-day events, provided that the event does not exceed four consecutive days in duration.
This license type is temporary and must be obtained separately for each event. All cannabis event activities require local approval. This includes any permits or licenses required by the applicable local unit of government, as well as specific approval for on-site consumption areas. Event organizers must obtain this local approval before submitting an application to the OCM and provide proof of local approval as part of the application.
Conclusion
The issuance of the first cannabis business license marks a pivotal moment in Minnesota's cannabis landscape. With the upcoming opportunities for social equity verification, testing facilities, and event organizers, the state is laying the groundwork for a robust and equitable cannabis market.
Access *summary data showing the review status of cannabis business license applications, broken out by license type and current application status. For information on submitting an application for a cannabis business license, please visit mn.gov/ocm/businesses/licensing
Media Contact: Jim Walker (651) *539-5082 [jim.walker@state.mn.us](mailto:539-5082jim.walker@state.mn.us
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