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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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