Need assistance getting a cannabis business license? Schedule a Free Consultation
A delay in licensing local cannabis growers could possibly put a snag in a full marijuana market launch in Minnesota despite legislation being passed last year.
According to industry leaders, Minnesota will need up to 2 million square feet of cannabis cultivation to meet market demand, and delays in licensing are slowing the process of reaching that goal.
However, interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management, Charlene Briner, says efforts to pass new policy and address the delays are underway.
“I am confident that there is a lot of energy around this topic, and there is a lot of productive conversation happening with both legislators and advocates,” Briner said. “I think that working together, we’re going to be able to find a solution that actually works.”
One solution that is off the table is shipping products from other states, as it’s illegal to move marijuana across state lines. This means that no growers in the state results in no cannabis supply for Minnesota dispensaries.
Briner says if their efforts with the legislature fail, the state could look to Minnesota’s tribal nations to fill the gap, some of which have already started developing cultivation facilities.
Industry advocates warn that if no new policies pass this session, it’s likely the state’s launch will be drawn out beyond early 2025.
