Minnesota’s First Lottery For Cannabis Business Licenses Delayed Amid Litigation
Judge Smith said the delay would give the Court of Appeals time to review
Minnesota’s first lottery for people seeking cannabis business licenses — a key step toward opening the state’s recreational marijuana market — was delayed Monday amid lawsuits filed by applicants who said they were unfairly denied entrance.
A Ramsey County judge ordered the state’s Office of Cannabis Management to delay its planned Tuesday lottery for social equity applicants seeking preapproval for cannabis business licenses. Judge Stephen Smith said the delay would give the Court of Appeals time to review the recently filed legal challenges.
The lottery for social equity applicants was intended to help people who were negatively impacted by cannabis prohibition get a head start in the new industry. It would have granted 282 aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs with preapproval for business licenses, giving them the certainty they need to secure investors, real estate and local zoning approval.
Aspiring cannabis growers would have been able to immediately start planting upon preapproval, helping establish a supply chain of cannabis before retailers open their doors.
To Read The Rest Of This Article On Star Tribune, Click Here
