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The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) hosted an informational webinar to guide social equity applicants through the process of completing the application for cannabis business license preapproval in Minnesota.

Presenters:

• Merone Melekin, Outreach Director
• Kimberly Maturo-Hilt, Information Technology
• Max Zappia, Chief Regulatory Officer

For more information, please visit the OCM’s website: https://mn.gov/ocm/

Please note that due to minor recording issues, there are two brief cuts in this meeting's recording. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Contents of this Recording:

• 00:00 - MNCC Introduction
• 00:37 - Introductions and Agenda (Merone Melekin)
• 05:02 - Completing Your Application (Kimberly Maturo-Hilt)
• 17:40 - Application Forms, Requirements, and Timelines (Max Zappia)
• 24:38 - Application Tips and Resources (Merone Melekin)
• 44:23 - Frequently Asked Questions (Merone Melekin)
• 54:00 - Key Takeaways and Next Steps (Merone Melekin)

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This week, Steve and Tanner are back with a summer break bonus episode, diving into the past month in Minnesota cannabis. The Pre-Approval Process is underway for Social Equity Applicants, marking a significant step forward for inclusivity in the industry. Island Pezi has opened near the Twin Cities, receiving mixed responses from the community. Meanwhile, changes to the medical program took effect on July 1, 2024, opening access for many. Finally, we look ahead to the Garrison Hemp Fest in Garrison, MN, an event sure to celebrate and highlight all things hemp. Don’t miss this Summer Break Bonus episode full of important updates and insights!

Filmed and Recorded at the Dabbler Depot Studio in St. Paul

Today's episode of Northern Lights is presented by North Star Law Group, your trusted partner in Minnesota's burgeoning legal cannabis industry. Learn more at northstarlaw.com

Thank you to our sponsor NativeCare, Minnesota's first recreational cannabis dispensary, now on WeedMaps!

Links from the Show:
🌱 Social Equity Application from MN OCM: https://stage.wcm.mnit.mn.gov/ocm/businesses/equity-applicants/preapproval.jsp
🏝️ Island Pezi Native Cannabis Brand: https://www.islandpezi.com/
💊 Medical Cannabis Program Resources: https://mn.gov/ocm/dmc/patients/the-basics/how-to-become-a-patient.jsp
🎉 Garrison Hemp Fest (August 10): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/garrison-hemp-fest-tickets-921251497027?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Welcome to the MNCC recording of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) training session on completing the social equity verification process. This is the crucial first step for potential social equity applicants aiming to participate in Minnesota’s new cannabis industry, launching this summer.

This training was held from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, June 21, at the Sabathani Community Center Auditorium in Minneapolis. Preregistration was strongly encouraged, and attendees signed up using a designated registration form.

This workshop underscores the state’s dedication to fostering a fair and inclusive cannabis industry. Recent updates to Minnesota’s cannabis law have introduced a licensing preapproval and vetted lottery process for qualified social equity applicants.

For those unable to attend the event, this recording will provide a detailed, step-by-step guide through the verification process. Charlene Briner, OCM interim director, has emphasized that additional information and technical assistance resources are forthcoming.

“The Office of Cannabis Management is committed to providing ongoing information and assistance as we prepare to open the application and licensing process,” said Briner. “We encourage potential applicants to check our website frequently as we continue to add guides and materials to support applicants every step of the way.”

As part of this summer’s launch, applicants must complete the verification process to ensure they qualify for social equity status. This process runs from June 24 to July 10.

Verified social equity applicants will then be eligible to submit an application for license preapproval from July 24 to August 12, as mandated by law. These applications will undergo a review and vetting process, and qualified candidates will enter a lottery planned for this fall.

Applicants will complete both the verification and preapproval processes through the OCM website.

For more information and to review social equity eligibility requirements, please visit the OCM website.

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Get ready for an action-packed week on our latest podcast! We're diving into a series of significant events starting with the Implementation Update on June 18th, followed by the Cannabis Advisory Council Quarterly Meeting on June 20th, and the Social Equity Verification Workshop on June 21st. Plus, don't miss the bonus session on June 27, 2024, with the Department of Revenue's Sales and Use Tax for Cannabis Agricultural Production. We'll also guide you through the Social Equity Applications process, featuring our new Workbook designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs prepare for licensure. Lastly, we're excited to announce the grand opening of Island Pezi on June 24, 2024, just hours from the Twin Cities, and we'll discuss the latest on the Minneapolis Council's exploration of cannabis regulations.

Then we try Raiden Lab's new Charged Gummies!

Finally, a preview from our April 2024 Class, "Drying and Curing 201," hosted by the Minnesota Cannabis College and Clean Green Media. Stream the full class now at: https://mncannabiscollege.vhx.tv/products/drying-and-curing-with-boveda-and-raiden-labs

Donate Today - mncannabiscollege.org/donate

Filmed and Recorded at the Dabbler Depot Studio in St. Paul

Today's episode of Northern Lights is presented by North Star Law Group, your trusted partner in Minnesota's burgeoning legal cannabis industry. Learn more at northstarlaw.com

Thank you to our sponsor NativeCare, Minnesota's first recreational cannabis dispensary, now on WeedMaps!

Links from the Show:
📘 MNCC SOCIAL EQUITY LICENSE WORKBOOK: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16Hv0SzKcClzaeqr5VnaGLtSYY_bLeP_3hZbUC5pWx1E/edit?usp=sharing
📅 Implementation Update Webinar: https://mn.gov/ocm/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D175293475
📊 Cannabis Advisory Council Quarterly Meeting: https://mn.gov/ocm/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D174900685
🛠️ Social Equity Verification Workshop: https://mn.gov/ocm/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D175188394
💰 Sales and Use Tax for Cannabis Agricultural Production Course: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sales-and-use-tax-cannabis-agricultural-production-course
🏝️ Island Pezi Set to Open: https://www.islandpezi.com/
🏙️ Minneapolis City Regulations on Cannabis: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/cannabis/

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We're back, and it's been a busy week! Fond du Lac Band set to start cannabis production in northeastern Minnesota, Sweetest Grass (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) opens to the public on Thursday, and more than one-third of adults may qualify for social equity cannabis licenses. Then, some local updates from St. Louis County, Stearns County, Marshall, and Pine River. Then we try Brez, microdosed cannabis and mushrooms in a can.

Then, Marcus and Steve sit down with Jacob Schlichter, a local artist and owner of Slicks.

Finally, a preview from our March 2024 Class "How to Grow REALLY Big Plants, hosted by the Minnesota Cannabis College and Clean Green Media. Stream the full class now at: https://mncannabiscollege.vhx.tv/products/how-to-grow-big-plants-w-raiden-labs-doc-dabs

Donate Today - mncannabiscollege.org/donate

Filmed and Recorded at the Dabbler Depot Studio in St. Paul

Today's episode of Northern Lights is presented by North Star Law Group, your trusted partner in Minnesota's burgeoning legal cannabis industry. Learn more at northstarlaw.com

Thank you to our sponsor NativeCare, Minnesota's first recreational cannabis dispensary, now on WeedMaps!

Links from the Show:
Brez - https://www.drinkbrez.com/

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We're out this week, but we wanted to share a discussion from our friends at CannaConnect!! This panel, Brewing a Budding Market: THC Beverages in Minnesota, dives into the exciting world of THC-infused beverages, exploring the specifics of bringing these products to market in the North Star State.

Join a distinguished group of Minnesota-based entrepreneurs and industry leaders as they discuss:

🔧 The Development Process: From concept to creation, learn the key considerations for formulating a winning THC beverage.

📈 Market Entry Strategies: Uncover the steps needed to successfully introduce your THC beverage to consumers in Minnesota.

🚚 Distribution Dynamics: Explore the evolving landscape of THC beverage distribution in the state, including working with both dedicated cannabis and existing adult beverage distributors.

Panelists:
Andy Herzog
Lauren Bertand
Logan Fleischman
Chris Fream

Donate Today - mncannabiscollege.org/donate

Filmed and Recorded at the Dabbler Depot Studio in St. Paul

Today's episode of Northern Lights is presented by North Star Law Group, your trusted partner in Minnesota's burgeoning legal cannabis industry. Learn more at northstarlaw.com

Thank you to our sponsor NativeCare, Minnesota's first recreational cannabis dispensary, now the first source for legal cannabis clones in Minnesota!

Support the Show.

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message!

Walter Cup Finals, Western Conference Finals, and the CannOmnibus Bill signed into law in the same week? You know it, and Marcus and Tanner are here to break down everything going on in Minnesota. Also, daily cannabis use outpaces daily drinking in the US, St. Cloud police seize 32 pounds of illegal THC gummies, a House Committee approves a disastrous Farm Bill amendment to ban most hemp-derived cannabinoid products, and Governor Walz signs HF 4757 into law.

Then, Tanner sits down with Marcus Harcus, a voice you've heard, but we explore a bit about his background and what brought him to help co-found the Minnesota Cannabis College. An important and powerful interview that you for sure won't want to miss.

Finally, a preview from our February 2024 Class "Super Soil Magic with Cornell Urban Agriculture!, hosted by the Minnesota Cannabis College and Clean Green Media. Build your own super soil today! Stream the full class now at: https://mncannabiscollege.vhx.tv/products/super-soil-magic-with-cornell-urban-agriculture

Donate Today - mncannabiscollege.org/donate

Filmed and Recorded at the Dabbler Depot Studio in St. Paul

Today's episode of Northern Lights is presented by North Star Law Group, your trusted partner in Minnesota's burgeoning legal cannabis industry. Learn more at northstarlaw.com

Thank you to our sponsor NativeCare, Minnesota's first recreational cannabis dispensary, now on WeedMaps!

Links from the Show:
HF 4757 Final Language - https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF4757&type=bill&version=4&session=ls93&session_year=2024&session_number=0
Marcus Harcus - https://www.instagram.com/marcus.harcus/?hl=en

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UPDATE SINCE FILMING: HF 4757 HAS PASSED BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE; NOW HEADS TO GOVERNOR'S DESK

This week, Tanner is joined by guest cohost Sam Milstrain from Milstagrams THC Distribution. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension expunges 57,780 records almost three months ahead of schedule, the Minnesota Supreme Court demotes the Legal Marijuana Now Party, and Albert Lea advances a moratorium on cannabis, liquor, tobacco or "sexually oriented material", making them officially the coolest town in America. Finally, we dig into the legislature for one of the last times this year! HF 4757 makes its way out of committee. Then we try Mary Jones's Green Apple Infused Soda.

Then, Steve sits down with Jordan Fallis of NativeCare to learn more about his background and what brings him to the Red Lake Nation. They explore more about efforts at NativeCare to produce some of the highest quality cannabis in Minnesota and learn about what full legalization brings to the Nation.

Finally, a preview from our January 2024 Class "Getting Started Growing with LogiBlom!, hosted by the Minnesota Cannabis College and Clean Green Media. Learn all about starting your cannabis plants from seeds, including selecting the right cultivars, understanding soil conditions, and mastering ideal environmental settings. Begin your growing journey today! Stream the full class today: https://mncannabiscollege.vhx.tv/products/getting-started-growing-with-logiblom

Donate Today - mncannabiscollege.org/donate

Filmed and Recorded at the Dabbler Depot Studio in St. Paul

Today's episode of Northern Lights is presented by North Star Law Group, your trusted partner in Minnesota's burgeoning legal cannabis industry. Learn more at northstarlaw.com

Thank you to our sponsor NativeCare, Minnesota's first recreational cannabis dispensary, now on WeedMaps!

Links from the Show:
👩‍⚖️ BCA Expugenment Details - https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ooc/news-releases/Pages/Adult-Use-Cannabis-Act-Automatic-expungements-of-BCA-records-complete.aspx
🤝 Albert Lea Open House (May 22 @ 4:30pm) - https://cityofalbertlea.org/zoningforthefuture/
🥤 Mary Jones Soda - https://gomaryjones.com/
🌿 NativeCare - https://www.nativecare.com/
👤 Jordan Fallis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-fallis/

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