High Hopes and Seltzer Dreams: Minnesota’s Cannabis Race Heats Up
This week's issue includes: the flood of out-of-state applications, a tale of two city zoning ordinances, and more
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Top 5 Must Reads
Minnesota’s first round of license pre-approval applications draws major interest. Last month, the first batch of hopeful Minnesota cannabis entrepreneurs submitted their applications for license pre-approval. The application window, which closed on August 12, was open only to verified social equity applicants. As MinnPost reported, 1,817 applications were submitted for 280 license pre-approvals, around half of which came from applicants outside of Minnesota.
Out-of-state applicants flood Minnesota’s cannabis market. The Minnesota Star Tribune published interactive maps of license pre-approval applicant addresses. From the article containing the maps:
Among the out-of-state applicants, many came from states that have existing adult-use cannabis markets. More than 180 listed Arizona addresses on their entries, and hundreds more came from Illinois, Missouri, California and Maryland.
There were 29 applications for microbusiness and mezzobusiness licenses from a small town in Arkansas called Eudora.
Want more details and analysis about how these stories are impacting Minnesota’s cannabis industry? Our expert analysis on this topic is available in the premium section below.
Expungement complications leave some would-be social equity applicants in limbo. MinnPost reports that Minnesota’s efforts to expunge cannabis-related criminal records as part of the legalization of adult-use cannabis are creating an unexpected barrier for some individuals seeking verification as social equity applications: being able to prove their eligibility after records of their convictions have been expunged or sealed. Advocates and lawmakers, including State Rep. Zack Stephenson and Sen. Lindsey Port, acknowledge the issue and are considering changes, but such revisions will not be made in time for the first round of cannabis business license pre-approvals.
Case against former Winnebago mayor for illegal cannabis cultivation dropped. Fox 9 reports that charges for illegal cannabis cultivation against former Winnebago mayor, Scott Robinson, have been dropped by prosecutors. Robertson, who was charged in February 2023 for allegedly growing more cannabis than allowed under Minnesota law, had been under investigation since early 2023 following a tip about cannabis plants in his commercial greenhouse. Authorities claimed a search of the property uncovered 240 cannabis plants, and electrical usage patterns and the smell of cannabis were used as key justifications for the search. However, Robertson’s attorney argued that the search warrant was flawed, highlighting incorrect information about power usage and the legality of the smell of cannabis in Minnesota. Additionally, his attorney pointed out that the plants had not yet flowered, meaning they contained no THC, and Robertson had planned to destroy them before they reached maturity. Prosecutors initially sought to delay the trial until 2025, but a judge denied the request, leading to the case’s dismissal. Per the article, the charges and subsequent investigation caused significant stress and reputational damage for Robertson, who resigned as mayor to avoid being a distraction. Now, with the case behind him, Robertson hopes to return to farming and contribute to the local economy by providing jobs.
Trump signals shift in cannabis position. Per the Minnesota Reformer, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced his support for Florida’s Amendment 3, a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana use, signaling a growing bipartisan consensus on cannabis reform. Trump’s endorsement, which also includes backing federal legislation to ease banking restrictions for marijuana businesses and rescheduling cannabis to a less restrictive classification under federal law, marks a significant shift for the GOP, which has historically been more resistant to legalization. While some, including Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, accused Trump of pandering, his stance could encourage more Republicans to support cannabis reform, as public opinion strongly favors legalization. A Pew Research Center poll showed 88% of Americans support cannabis legalization for medical or recreational use.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 14th: Legacy Cup V will be held at Surly Field in Minneapolis.
Sept. 17: The Lakeville Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting a panel discussion at B-52 Burgers + Brew in Lakeville on local requirements for cannabis featuring Lakeville Mayor Luke Hellier, State Senator Zach Duckworth, Beth Johnston from the League of Minnesota Cities, and others.
The premium content that follows is available exclusively to our paid subscribers. This week’s premium content includes:
In-depth commentary: Navigating the Dilemma of Out-of-State Applicants in Minnesota’s Cannabis Licensing
Key federal, state, and local government updates
Insights on Minnesota’s 2025 cannabis market rollout and business opportunities
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