Cannabis Cultivator License (Bulk Cultivator, Craft Cultivator)
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will offer two types of cultivator licenses:
- Craft cultivator. A craft cultivator license allows cultivation by a license holder of not more than 10,000 ft of plant canopy.
- Bulk cultivator. A bulk cultivator license in Minnesota allows cultivation by a license holder of not more than 30,000 ft of plant canopy.
A cannabis cultivator license allows the licensee to grow cannabis within an approved amount of space. The licensee can:
- Grow from seed or immature plant to mature plant
- Harvest cannabis from a mature plant
- Package and label cannabis for sale to other cannabis businesses
- Transport cannabis to cannabis manufacturers that are located on the same premises
A person, cooperative, or business holding a cultivator license may also hold a cannabis manufacturing license, medical cannabis cultivator license, medical cannabis manufacturing license, license to grow industrial hemp, and cannabis event organizer license. They may not own/operate any other type of cannabis business.
Cannabis Manufacturer License
The Minnesota cannabis manufacturer license allows a license holder to purchase cannabis, cannabis products, hemp, and hemp products from cultivators, manufacturers, microbusinesses, and industrial hemp growers. The licensee may also:
- Extract THC and other raw materials from cannabis
- Concentrate THC
- Manufacture products for public consumption
- Package and label cannabis products for sale to other cannabis businesses
A cannabis manufacturer licensee may also hold a cannabis cultivator license, a medical cannabis cultivator license, a medical cannabis processor license, and a cannabis event organizer license. They may not own or operate any other type of cannabis business.
Cannabis Retailer License
With a Minnesota cannabis retailer license, a licensee is able to sell immature cannabis plants and seedlings, adult-use cannabis, adult-use cannabis products, and other products authorized by law to customers. One license allows the operation of up to five retail locations. Immature cannabis seedlings and plants, adult-use cannabis and adult-use cannabis products must be obtained from a licensed Minnesota cannabis manufacturer, cultivator, microbusiness or wholesaler. Products must also meet all applicable packaging and labeling requirements.
A cannabis retailer can sell up to two ounces of adult-use cannabis, eight grams of adult-use cannabis concentrate, and edible cannabis products infused with 800 milligrams of THC during a single transaction to a customer.
A cannabis retailer in Minnesota can also sell:
- Hemp products
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Books and videos about the cultivation and use of cannabis products
- Publications about cannabis
- Multiple-use bags designated to carry purchased items
- Branded cannabis retailer clothing
A person, cooperative, or business holding a cannabis retailer license may also hold a cannabis delivery service license, a medical cannabis retailer license, and a cannabis event organizer license. A retailer licensee may not own or operate any other type of cannabis business.
Cannabis Wholesaler License
A Minnesota cannabis wholesaler license allows for the licensee to purchase immature cannabis plants and seedlings, cannabis, cannabis products, hemp, and hemp products from cannabis cultivators, cannabis manufacturers, cannabis microbusinesses, and industrial hemp growers. The wholesaler license allows for the sale of immature cannabis plants and seedlings, cannabis, cannabis products, hemp, and hemp products to retailers and manufacturers.
A Minnesota cannabis wholesaler can also hold a cannabis transporter license, a cannabis delivery service license, and a cannabis event organizer license. A wholesaler may not own or operate any other type of cannabis business.
Cannabis Transporter License in Minnesota
A Minnesota cannabis transporter license allows the licensee to transport immature cannabis plants and seedlings, cannabis, cannabis products, hemp, and hemp products. The transporter is allowed to transport from cultivators, manufacturers, wholesalers, microbusinesses, medical marijuana businesses, and industrial hemp growers to manufacturers, testing facilities, wholesalers, retailers, and medical marijuana businesses.
Transporters are required to:
- Maintain an up-to-date shipping manifest
- Keep transportation records
- Have multiple employees
- Have storage compartments
- Schedule randomized deliveries
A cannabis transporter licensee may also hold a cannabis wholesaler license, a cannabis delivery service license, and a cannabis event organizer license. They may not own or operate any other type of cannabis business.
Cannabis Testing Facility License in Minnesota
A Minnesota cannabis testing facility license allows for the licensee to obtain and test immature cannabis plants and seedlings, cannabis, cannabis products, hemp, and hemp products from cultivators, manufacturers, microbusinesses, medical marijuana businesses, and industrial hemp growers.
Testing facility operations are required to have:
- Proof of accreditation
- IOS formal management systems
- Facility layout, including ventilation and filtration systems
- Testing services and protocols
- Three years of maintenance of all records,
- Disposal plans for cannabis flower and cannabinoid products
A testing facility licensee may not own or operate, or be employed by, any other cannabis business.
Cannabis Microbusiness License
The Minnesota microbusiness license allows the growing, processing, and sale of cannabis products by a single operator. The size of the businesses is limited. The licensee will be allowed to:
- Grow cannabis from seed or immature plant to mature plant, harvest cannabis from a mature plant, package and label cannabis for sale to other Minnesota cannabis businesses.
- Extract THC and other raw materials from cannabis, and concentrate THC.
- Manufacture edible cannabis products for public consumption.
- Purchase concentrated THC from cannabis manufacturers or wholesalers for use in manufacturing edible cannabis products.
- Sell immature cannabis plants and seedlings, adult-use cannabis and cannabis products to customers.
- Operate an establishment that permits on-site consumption of edible cannabis products.
A cannabis microbusiness that cultivates cannabis can not cultivate more than 5,000 square feet of plant canopy. There are also limitations to extraction and concentration, production of customer products, retail operations, and on-site consumption.
Cannabis Mezzobusiness License
Similar to the microbusiness license, but the Minnesota cannabis mezzobusiness license allows the licensee to:
- Cultivate up to 15,000 square feet of plant canopy.
- Operate up to three separate dispensary locations.
Cannabis Event Organizer License
A cannabis event organizer licensee will be allowed to organize a temporary cannabis event lasting no more than 4 days. A cannabis event organizer must obtain local approval, charge entrance fees, have event security and make sure that no one under 21 enters the event.
Cannabis Event Sales License
With an event sale license, licensed cannabis retailers and licensed cannabis microbusinesses with endorsements to sell cannabis and cannabis products to customers can sell cannabis and cannabis products to customers at a cannabis event.
All sales of cannabis and cannabis products at a cannabis event have to take place in a designated retail area that is within your application. Licensed retailers and microbusinesses can only conduct sales within their specific area. Licensed retailers and microbusinesses can display one sample of each cannabis or cannabis product available for sale. Samples must be stored by board-approved methods. Potency of samples also has limitations. This license also allows for cannabis event on-site consumption if approved.
On-Site Consumption Lounge with a Microbusiness License
Minnesota only offers the consumption lounges license type as a microbusiness. This license allows on-site consumption of edible cannabis products on a portion of the microbusinesses premises. Edible cannabis products sold for on-site consumption must comply with testing, packaging, and labeling rules. Edible cannabis products must be removed from their packaging and consumed on-site. Food and beverages sold on the site must be compliant with local and state laws, ordinances, licensing and zoning requirements.
A cannabis consumption lounge may not:
- Sell more than one single serving of an edible cannabis product to a customer
- Allow the sale or consumption of alcohol or tobacco on the premises
- Sell food and drink, other than packages and labeled edible cannabis products infused with cannabis or THC
- Distribute or allow free samples
Cannabis Delivery License
A Minnesota cannabis delivery license allows the license holder to purchase cannabis, cannabis products, medical cannabis, and medical cannabis products from licensed retailers, microbusinesses with an endorsement to sell cannabis and cannabis products to customers and medical cannabis businesses. The delivery business may can transport and deliver cannabis, cannabis products and medical cannabis products to customers.
A cannabis delivery service license holder may hold a cannabis retailer license, a cannabis wholesaler license, a cannabis transporter license, and a cannabis event organizer license subject to the ownership limitations that apply to those licenses.
A cannabis delivery licensee is required to:
- Verify age and registry status upon delivery
- Keep records
- Comply with limits on the amount of cannabis and cannabis products transported,
- Comply with statewide monitoring system and storage compartment requirements
