The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 342.14, subdivision 4, to require the Office of Cannabis Management to prioritize the review of verified social equity applicants before considering general licensing applicants. This change aims to ensure that social equity applicants, who may have been historically marginalized, receive fair access to cannabis licensing opportunities. The bill specifies that if the number of verified social equity applicants exceeds the available licenses, a lottery will be conducted to select qualified applicants for preliminary license approval.

Additionally, the bill maintains the provision that if a social equity applicant is not selected in the lottery, they will still be included in the pool of applicants for licenses available to all applicants. The lottery process is mandated to be impartial and random, with the office required to notify all applicants of their selection status following the lottery. This legislative change reflects a commitment to enhancing equity in the cannabis industry in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 342.14