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At Carpfish Creative, we specialize in tailored Payment, Point of Sale, and ATM solutions, catering to diverse industries from high-risk sectors like cannabis to everyday small businesses and government entities. Our expert solutions advisors leverage decades of experience to navigate complex payment landscapes, ensuring you find the right fit for your needs. Partner with us to embrace innovative financial solutions that drive your business forward.

WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR PROJECT! Carpfish Creative works closely with local, regional and in some cases national partners in terms of advisors & consultants, lawyers and other canna businesses to help create a smooth transition into your canna business venture. From Initial Research all the way to daily ongoing operations, Carpfish Creative Advisors will put you on the best path for success. > Types of Canna Business License(s) available in your Area > What You should Be Doing Now > Determine Action Plan Needed To Win

Meet with one of our creative network advisors to talk about the different tax credits that are available for your business. This session, approximately 30 minutes will get you the understanding on how you could earn money by hiring the right folks with WOTC. Online or In-Person (transportation rates may apply) Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Only 1 in 5.2 small businesses file WOTC tax credits. The government will pay you up to $9600 just for hiring a military vet who ends up working 400 hours in a year. What about a part time seasonal worker who does just 120 hours and you get up to $2400 back. Yes, this is all possible, but you only have 30 days to file. We will teach you how.

Get ready for Green Wednesday, a fun cannabis celebration that takes place every year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving! Think of it as Black Friday for cannabis. It’s a great time to hit up dispensaries across the country for incredible deals—perfect for stocking up before the holiday weekend. Whether you’re gearing up for family gatherings, avoiding the Thanksgiving rush, or just looking to snag some awesome savings, Green Wednesday has something for everyone. Like the popular shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Green Wednesday has become a beloved tradition among cannabis enthusiasts. With more states legalizing cannabis and dispensaries offering great promotions, the savings only seem to get better year after year. Green Wednesday Campaign Ideas 25% off on the 25th 25% off a short, clearly marked list of eligible products; use a smaller discount if margins require it. Headline offer: “25% off on the 25th” The $25 Menu Create a clearly marked collection of products priced at $25 or less before tax. Offer several formats rather than pushing larger quantities. “Your Green Wednesday finds—$25 and under.” Choose Your Savings Let customers choose one of two offers—for example, a discount on one featured cannabis item or a larger discount on an eligible accessory. No stacking. “Your visit. Your choice of savings.” Green Wednesday Exclusives Secure an exclusive cultivar, package size, or manufacturer-produced assortment. Use exclusivity instead of relying entirely on discounts. “A local exclusive, arriving 11/25.” Local harvest/producer spotlight Feature a verified Minnesota maker and host a confirmed indoor educational appearance—not a consumption or sampling party. "Meet your local grower X and save 15%" Premium Without the Premium Discount a few higher-end products individually so customers can explore premium options without buying a bundle. “Meet your next top-shelf favorite.” Build Your Own Discovery Set (Deli-Style Setups) Let customers select from a short list of separately packaged products at clearly disclosed promotional prices. Preserve original packaging and item-level tracking. “Explore something different.” Accessory Upgrade Day Offer special pricing on selected grinders, rolling accessories, or other permitted merchandise—available independently of a cannabis purchase. “Refresh your setup.” 📣Make sure to highlight Convenience: Explain existing order-ahead and in-store pickup procedures clearly Retention is Important: Invite adults to join an age-affirmed, opted-in email list for future local product announcements and holiday season specials. If you have a loyalty program, the holiday season provides a perfect time to premote it. Test discount tax treatment: Store-funded and third-party-reimbursed coupons have different tax consequences. Revenue guidance is not blanket OCM approval of incentive arrangements. 🗓 Plan the campaign rollout November 11–13: Select products; approve margins, funding, terms, and compliance. November 14–17: Build the landing page; send the save-the-date message to the age-affirmed, opted-in list. November 18–20: Feature the local maker; train staff on the offers. November 21–23: Publish final specials; test POS and online pricing. November 24: Send one useful reminder; verify inventory and pickup staffing. November 25: Assign inventory, queue, and offer-troubleshooting owners. November 27–30: Thank customers; avoid automatically extending a one-day offer. Have holiday season offers in place. December 1–10: Measure repeat visits and campaign gross profit. 🛑Hard stops These drafts are not complete advertisements until the applicable full OCM warning is added. OCM requires warning language for business and product advertisements, including online and social media promotions. (OCM GM-2025-07, updated August 7, 2026) Avoid child-appealing cartoons, animal mascots, alcohol imagery, medical promises, and overconsumption language. These are subject to Minnesota advertising restrictions. (Minn. Stat. 342.64) No free cannabis products: Minnesota's cannabis retail giveaway prohibition covers cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and other listed regulated products. Do not assume nominal-price add-ons are an approved workaround. (Minn. Stat. 342.27) No outdoor sale banners or sandwich boards: OCM also treats promotional window and door signs visible from outside as outdoor advertisements. The limited fixed-sign allowance is not general authorization for holiday sale displays. No unapproved SMS blast: Twilio prohibits cannabis/CBD businesses on its U.S. and Canadian SMS/MMS routes, regardless of message wording. Confirm provider and carrier permission; do not disguise messages. (The Twilio policy) Test discount tax treatment: Store-funded and third-party-reimbursed coupons have different tax consequences. Revenue guidance is not blanket OCM approval of incentive arrangements. Campaign scorecard: Track your results! Track transactions, net sales, gross profit dollars, average order value, discount rate, new customers, email signups, pickup completion, stockouts, and repeat visits. Give each offer a margin floor and a firm end date. Follow-up with other customer-focused promotions Promotion How it could work Sample hook Budtender Picks Showdown Have three staff members nominate a product and explain their selection. Let adults vote for their favorite recommendation, with no purchase or prize required. “Three picks. Which gets your vote?” You Pick the Spotlight Ask your age-affirmed email audience which of three eligible products should receive the featured offer. Announce the winner before Wednesday. “Help choose the Green Wednesday special.” First-Visit Fast Track Provide a designated welcome associate, a simple menu guide, and a short consultation for new customers. Avoid promising immediate service unless you can deliver it. “New here? We’ll make it easy.” Regulars Get the First Look Give existing opted-in adult customers a preview of the menu—not necessarily earlier access to sales or an extra discount. “Your first look at what’s coming.” Product Passport Create a simple take-home guide comparing featured products by format, flavor, producer, and price. Link each entry to the live menu. “Find your next favorite—without the guesswork.” Limited-Edition Store Merch Release a small run of adult-oriented branded merchandise for sale, subject to what your license permits. Make it genuinely limited rather than manufacturing urgency. “The Green Wednesday edition.” Need help planning events? Reach out to info@carpfishcreative.com and let our folks assist you.

Minnesota OCM can deny or block a cannabis-license investment when an investor is an owner, manager, officer, director, general partner, controlling person, or other person responsible for the business. That person fails the criminal, regulatory, ownership, or disclosure requirements. The most serious criminal disqualifiers are specified drug-trafficking offenses, human or labor trafficking, fraud and financial crimes, certain cannabis-sale convictions after August 1, 2023, adulteration, and electronic-data theft; a disqualifying felony is permanent unless OCM grants a variance. A person who merely makes a properly structured passive investment may be excluded from the statutory definition of “true party of interest,” but that exclusion should not be treated as automatic protection from review. Minnesota’s background-check statute and rule broadly reach owners and people responsible for conducting the entity’s affairs, while OCM also requires disclosure of investment sources and true parties of interest. People OCM Reviews The criminal-history requirement reaches every cannabis-license applicant or holder and, for a business entity, every person responsible for conducting its affairs, including owners, cooperative members or directors, managers, and general partners. State and national records may be checked through the BCA and FBI. Every officer, director, manager, and general partner must also satisfy the general ownership qualifications in Minnesota Statutes section 342.16. These include being at least 21, not being an OCM or relevant state-agency employee, not being a licensed peace officer, not having a Minnesota or out-of-state cannabis authorization revoked, complying with cannabis tax and OCM information requests, and having no recent confirmed willful labor violation covered by the statute. Criminal Disqualifiers Category Conduct covered Normal effect Serious noncannabis drug offenses First- or second-degree controlled-substance crimes; possession of substances with intent to manufacture methamphetamine; counterfeit drugs; causing great bodily harm through drug distribution; using drugs to injure or facilitate crime; and sale of cannabis to a minor Disqualifying; permanent if the offense is a felony, subject to a variance. Trafficking Labor trafficking; sex trafficking and promotion-related offenses; trafficking-related document offenses Disqualifying; permanent if felony, subject to variance. Fraud and financial crimes False tax statement, bribery, perjury, concealing criminal proceeds, insurance fraud, theft of public funds, false government claims, medical-assistance fraud, forged instruments, specified notary and lottery fraud, commercial bribery, and any crime having fraud, deceit, or embezzlement as a required element Disqualifying; permanent if felony, subject to variance. Post-legalization cannabis sales Cannabis-sale crimes under section 152.0264 for convictions after August 1, 2023 Five years from conviction under Rule 9810.1001. Other offenses Adulteration and computer or electronic-data theft Disqualifying; permanent if felony, subject to variance. Attempts and conspiracies Attempting or conspiring to commit one of the listed crimes Treated as disqualifying when the underlying crime is listed. Equivalent federal/out-of-state crimes Conviction whose elements match a listed Minnesota crime Treated as disqualifying. Not every felony is automatically disqualifying merely because it is a felony. Rule 9810.1001 supplies the operative offense list, although its catchall for an offense in which fraud, deceit, or embezzlement is a necessary element can capture crimes bearing different titles in Minnesota or elsewhere. A violation of Minnesota Statutes section 152.025 cannot be made disqualifying under section 342.15. Certain successfully completed stays of adjudication and an eligible expunged conviction under former section 152.09 are also excluded by the rule. Variance Possibility A permanent felony disqualification is not necessarily the final word. After at least five years from release from incarceration or conviction, whichever is later, the person may ask OCM to make the disqualification nonpermanent by showing that permanence does not serve the public interest. OCM’s factors include the proposed role, seriousness and circumstances of the crime, age at the time, whether it was isolated, rehabilitation, conduct in custody or the community, treatment or education, recommendations from supervisors or mentors, and community benefit from licensing the applicant. Noncriminal Barriers OCM may also disqualify based on a substantiated civil or regulatory violation that creates a public-health or safety risk. A prior disqualification, revocation, or prohibition imposed by another state’s cannabis authority is independently disqualifying under the rule.revisor.mn An unlicensed chapter 342 violation followed by an OCM administrative order after August 1, 2023 carries a five-year disqualification from the order date under the rule. Current statutory requirements also bar an applicant whose Minnesota or out-of-state cannabis authorization was previously revoked. Investor Structures A true party of interest generally includes LLC members and managers, partners, privately held corporate stockholders, officers and directors, people in layered ownership structures, anyone entitled to cannabis-business revenue or profit, and anyone with control. All true parties must be disclosed, and the business must disclose the source of invested money before investment. A passive ownership interest meeting the federal passive-investment definition is excluded from “true party of interest.” Fixed-rent landlords, ordinary salaried employees without ownership or control, qualifying consultants and service providers, and financial institutions are also excluded, but a lender expecting repayment may be a “financier” whose funding source still must be disclosed. A financier cannot take ownership, control, revenue, gross-profit or net-profit participation, or another profit-sharing right in return for funding unless the directly involved financier is disclosed to OCM as a true party of interest. Attempts to label equity, control, or profit participation as a “loan” will therefore not avoid disclosure. Other barred investors A licensed peace officer an OCM employee an employee of another state agency regulating chapter 342 cannot qualify in the roles governed by section 342.16. A health-care practitioner who certifies patients’ qualifying medical conditions cannot hold a direct or indirect economic interest in a cannabis business or serve as its cooperative member, director, manager, general partner, or employee. OCM can also reject ownership changes that add an owner who is ineligible under the background-check process, violate true-party-of-interest provisions, or reduce required social-equity ownership below 65% where that restriction applies. Ownership or control changes and license transfers require prior OCM review in the circumstances described by OCM. Practical Underwriting Before accepting funds, obtain the investor’s complete criminal history from every jurisdiction, cannabis-license and regulatory history, civil-enforcement history, labor-compliance history, ownership in other cannabis applicants or licenses, intended economic rights, source of funds, and proposed management powers. Compare the exact statute of conviction—not merely the crime’s common name—to Rule 9810.1001, because federal and out-of-state offenses turn on matching elements. The investment documents, capitalization table, operating agreement, promissory note, security agreement, profit rights, veto rights, and side letters should all tell the same story. OCM requires continuing disclosure of true parties and invested-money sources, and materially false or omitted application information can itself support denial. This report addresses Minnesota adult-use cannabis-business licensing, not legal advice for a specific investor. Hemp-business applicants are treated differently because section 342.15’s background checks and disqualifications do not apply to hemp-business applicants or hemp workers

You request it from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management through your preliminary license record in Accela. Under the current law, your first extension—up to six months—must be granted upon request; a possible second extension of up to six months is discretionary and requires proof that you have made good-faith efforts to convert the preliminary approval into a full license. Current extension timeline Stage Time available Standard Preliminary approval 18 months Complete all final licensing requirements before expiration Initial extension Up to 6 months OCM must grant it when you request it Additional extension Up to 6 months OCM may grant it if you show good-faith progress toward licensure That provides up to 30 months total from preliminary approval if OCM approves the additional, good-faith extension. An expired preliminary approval cannot be converted into a cannabis business license, so submit the request well before the deadline. How to request it Check your preliminary-approval expiration date in your OCM/Accela record and identify the date that falls 60–90 days beforehand. Watch the email addresses associated with the application, including spam and junk folders. OCM has stated it will email preliminary-approval holders approximately 60 days before expiration with instructions for requesting an extension. The notice is expected to come from noreply@accela.com.mn Log in to Accela using the account tied to the preliminary approval. Look for an extension-related task, notification, or request option within the license/application record. Accela is OCM’s platform for submitting and updating information, paying fees, scheduling inspections, monitoring status, and printing license records. Submit the extension request before the preliminary approval expires. For your initial six-month extension, make a clear written request and retain a PDF or screenshot of the submission confirmation. If you may need a second extension, build the record now. The statute makes this one dependent on good-faith efforts, so prepare evidence rather than relying on a narrative alone. What to document Even if the first extension is mandatory upon request, a short, organized progress package can reduce questions and protect you if you later need the additional extension. Include: Accela application/license number, legal entity name, license type, and original preliminary-approval date. Facility address or your active site-selection status. Local zoning correspondence, zoning verification, conditional-use permit materials, or local registration documentation. Executed lease, purchase agreement, landlord letter, LOI, or explanation of a documented site contingency. Construction drawings, architect/engineer agreements, permit applications, bids, contractor schedules, and equipment orders. Final Plans of Record progress, including security plans, SOPs, floor plans, inventory controls, and operational-readiness documents. Evidence of completed or pending background checks and required ownership disclosures. Financing documentation showing capital raised, lender diligence, investor activity, or a buildout budget and timeline. A dated milestone schedule showing exactly what will be completed during the requested extension period. Documentation of delays outside your control, such as municipal review, permitting, utility upgrades, landlord construction, lender timelines, or OCM-requested revisions. Sample Request Language Subject: Request for Initial Extension of Preliminary License Approval — [Legal Entity Name] / [Accela Record Number] To the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management: [Legal Entity Name], holder of preliminary license approval for a [license type], respectfully requests an initial extension of its preliminary license approval for up to six months under Minnesota Statutes, section 342.14.Our preliminary approval expires on [date]. We remain actively engaged in completing all requirements necessary to convert the preliminary approval into an operating cannabis business license. Current progress includes [brief list: site control/zoning, plan development, financing, permitting, construction, final-plan preparation, etc.]. During the extension period, we expect to complete the following milestones: [list the remaining steps and target dates]. Please confirm receipt and approval of this request through Accela or the contact information below. Sincerely, [Name] [Title] [Legal Entity Name] [Accela Record Number] [Email] | [Phone] Important distinction Do not confuse this with annual license renewal. An extension applies while you hold preliminary approval and are trying to obtain your initial operating license. Once the full license is issued, OCM requires annual renewal through Accela, with the renewal application generally made available 90 days before expiration.mn If you have not received OCM’s 60-day email and are within roughly 75 days of expiration, submit an inquiry through your Accela record or contact OCM promptly—do not wait for the expiration date.

Carpfish Creative partners with the Canna Advisors to help Canna Business from idea conception through daily operations and growth. Contact us today as we would love to help! Please fill out the following: First Name Last Name Phone Company (Brand) Email Please Select Which Applies: * Required I am a current Cannabis license holder I am NOT a current Cannabis license holder but am intereted State of Residency Location of Interest How Can We Help? * Required Cannabis Advisory Cannabis License Help Cannabis Funding/Banking Payment Processing (+Cannabis, +High Risk) Payment Point of Sale (+Cannabis, +High Risk) Processing/Manufacturing Distribution Transportation Delivery Lounge/Events Medical Focused Full Verticle Hemp Not quite sure... Additonal Notes Submit Thanks for submitting!

Partner with carpfish creative and Carpfish Creative in Minneapolis–St. Paul for fractional advising, tech and marketing support; meet online or in person. Your Work Together, Grow Together Fractional Advisors Your Work Together, Grow Together Fractional Advisors Your Work Together, Grow Together Fractional Advisors Your Work Together, Grow Together Fractional Advisors Business Startup & Advisory Hands-on support for launching new ventures, from business planning and legal formation to vendor management and market research. Cannabis /Hemp /Psilocybin Fractional Services Licensing, compliance, operations, and applications for dispensaries, manufacturing, and cultivation—with guidance from industry experts like Cannaspire, Canna Advisors, CannDelta, and more. From help with application licenses to buying/selling them , we've got you covered from A-Z. Business (Cannabis/Hemp) Funding , Banking Lending partnerships, lines of credit, and strategies to maximize tax credits for small businesses. We also host & setup investor based events for higher-risk business environments. Human Resources & HRMS Solutions (+401k) Payroll, HR setup, hiring, background checks, training, employee benefits, labor/tax compliance, cannabis, and all businesses that focus on compliance, from startups and growing teams. Hardware/Software/Equipment Procurement Procuring hardware, software, and equipment/supplies for businesses is a strategic endeavor that aims to secure the essential technological resources required to streamline operations, boost productivity, and fulfill organizational objectives. This comprehensive process encompasses critical steps and considerations, including assessing specific needs, evaluating various options, and negotiating favorable terms. Payment Processing , ATMs & Point of Sale, ERP, CRM, and more... Merchant services/card payments, onsite ATMs, leading POS hardware/software solutions, and ERP (Seed-to-sale) solutions optimized for cannabis and high-risk industries. We fit the solution to the client, not the other way around. AI Integration & Advanced Tech Incorporating AI tools and automation solutions to streamline marketing, sales, and business operations. Also assist firms with deep research on topics. Bot creation and deployment. Organizational, Project & Events Management Solutions Planning, production, and execution for industry events and tradeshow/expos, with a focus on building network connections while maximizing event cost margins. We also create complete solutions for organizations . Strategic Partnerships, Rapid Network Buildouts Access to a robust network of legal professionals, payroll, insurance, banking, building, real estate technology service partners, and more for leading business solutions coverage, A to Z. Marketing & Branding Services Full-service campaign design, content marketing, social media, websites, logos, CRM tools, and analytics for growing businesses. UPCOMING EVENTS 19 days to the event MJBizcon 2026 Dec 01, 2026, 9:00 AM – Dec 04, 2026, 5:00 PM Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA For 15 years, MJBizCon has been the premier B2B cannabis event where the industry comes together to do business and grow what’s next. As the largest and most established cannabis conference and expo, it connects entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders across the cannabis industry. RSVP 106 days to the event Come meet us at the Lucky Leaf Expo! Feb 26, 2027, 9:00 AM – Feb 27, 2027, 5:00 PM Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA Lucky Leaf Expo is a cannabis, hemp, and CBD trade show and conference that combines a B2B exhibit hall with educational sessions, panels, and networking events. It’s designed for growers, processors, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and service providers to connect. RSVP 183 days to the event Meet us at the NECANN Minnesota Cannabis Convention 2027 May 14, 2027, 9:00 AM – May 15, 2027, 5:00 PM Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA The NECANN Minnesota Cannabis Convention 2027 will take place May 14–15, 2027, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, bringing together 120+ exhibitors, 60+ speakers, and Minnesota’s cannabis industry professionals in a B2B-only event. RSVP 260 days to the event Meet us at CannaCon St. Paul Convention and Expo Jul 30, 2027, 9:00 AM – Jul 31, 2027, 5:00 PM Saint Paul RiverCentre, 175 Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102, USA For Home Growers, Operators, Brands & Cannabis Professionals. Use two days to compare products and suppliers, learn from operators and educators, and build relationships across Minnesota’s expanding cannabis market. RSVP Creative Network News 1 2 3 4 5 About Carpfish Creative Carpfish Creative is a team of experienced business advisors with decades of expertise in providing effective business solutions, fractional services, sales, marketing, and advanced technology services. In today’s fast-paced technological landscape, affordable solutions are available for nearly every need, including support for small and medium-sized businesses. Our advisors are skilled in leveraging our extensive network to connect you with the best solutions tailored to your business model, not ours. We are dedicated to our guiding principle of "Work Together, Grow Together: with our clients; when you make money, so do we. Our goal is to achieve measurable results and enable small and medium-sized businesses to compete with larger corporations effectively. We are fully equipped to collaborate with businesses nationwide (and globally), with a strategic emphasis on our home area of the upper Midwest. 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Contact Carpfish Creative to get your customer low price Payment Processing, Point of Sale, Customer Loyalty and more! Don’t miss out! • Subscribe to our Creative Network Updates Enter your email here...* Join You Have Needs. We have Solutions. We Should Talk. Please fill out the form below, and the appropriate advisor network partners will reach out to you in a very timely manner. You can also send an email to info@carpfishccreative.com Or simply give a call: 763-325-3326 First Name Last Name Phone Email What areas can we help? Business Funding (Includes Cannabis) Cannabis Investment High-Risk Payments Onsite ATMs Project Management Seed-to-Sale Solutions Business AI Hardware/Software Procurement Equipment Procurement Point of Sale Selection Customer Engagement Onboarding & Payroll Rebates & Grants Business Tax Credits Business Startups Cannabis Applications Sales Enablement Retail Buildouts Events & Marketing Payments (Cash or Card) Payments (Goverment) Payments (B2B Tier Discounts) Invocing/ACH Payments Sales and Wholesale Other Additonal Notes Submit Thanks for submitting! We will be in touch shortly...