Minnesota

Equity Project State Briefing

Social Equity

Social Equity Definition / Criteria

Minnesota does not offer a state social equity program to benefit medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

Social Equity Provisions

Minnesota does not offer a state social equity program to benefit medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

Fee Waivers and Reductions

  • Fee Waivers / Reductions:
No

Minnesota does not offer fee waivers or reductions to support medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

Other Financial Support for Social Equity Applicants and Licensees

Minnesota does not offer state level funding to support medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

License Priorities and Set Asides

  • License Priorities / Set Asides:
Yes

Minnesota does not offer state level licensing priority or set asides to support medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

Other Licensing Provisions

License Caps

  • License Caps:
Yes

Minnesota is a limited license state and has medical use licensing caps. In Minnesota there is a limit of two registered manufacturers for the entire state.  Each manufacturer is allowed to have eight distribution locations.

Source:

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 152.29. Subdivision (1)(a)
Minn. Stat. Ann. § 152.25. Subdivision (1)(a)

Application Selection Process

  • Selection System:
Merit

Minnesota distributes medical cannabis licenses through a merit system.

Source:

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 152.25. Subdivision (1)(a)

Felony Disqualification on Ownership

  • Ownership Exclusion for Felony Convictions:
Yes
  • Exemption for Cannabis Offenses:
No

Minnesota’s medical framework disqualifies applicants for cannabis licensure on the basis of certain convictions. A disqualifying felony offense is  a felony violation of a controlled substance law unless the commissioner determines that the person’s conviction was for the medical use of cannabis or assisting with the medical use of cannabis.

Source:

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 152.25. Subdivision 3

Employee Criminal Records

  • Conviction Restrictions for Employees:
Yes
  • Exemption for Cannabis Offenses:
No

The Minnesota state medical use sector has restrictions disqualifying potential employees with certain convictions. A medical cannabis manufacturer may not employ any person who has been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense. A disqualifying felony offense is  a felony violation of a controlled substance law unless the commissioner determines that the person’s conviction was for the medical use of cannabis or assisting with the medical use of cannabis.

Source:

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 152.29. Subdivision (1)(j)
Minn. Stat. Ann. § 152.25. Subdivision 3

Availability of Expungements

  • Expungements:
Yes, Not Automatic

Minnesota offers record cleaning remedies for certain cannabis convictions, however this process is not automatic and requires action from the individual. Individuals with certain controlled substance felony convictions may petition to have their record sealed if they have not been convicted of a new crime for at least five years following the completion of their sentence.

Source:

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 609A.02. Subdivision 3 subsection (a)(5)
Minn. Stat. Ann. § 152.18.