Early lottery would have granted access to select entrepreneurs, but lawsuits derailed it.

Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management on Wednesday announced that it’s canceling a planned lottery for special early cannabis licenses intended to help disadvantaged entrepreneurs get a leg-up in the nascent legal marijuana market.

Amid legal disputes, the Office of Cannabis Management will no longer hold a pre-approval lottery for certain marijuana business applicants. Instead, the process will be revamped heading into 2025, making an early-year launch to retail sales difficult to achieve.

Minnesota cannabis regulators announced Wednesday they will no longer hold an early lottery for social equity applicants seeking business licenses in the new marijuana market, a move that could affect the rollout of the industry.

Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will not proceed with the preapproval lottery for social equity applicants looking to enter the state's legal cannabis market in 2025, likely delaying the launch of retail marijuana sales in much of Minnesota.

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced Wednesday that it is ending the controversial license lottery system for aspiring business owners. This decision comes after a judge ruled to halt the process due to a lawsuit filed by six business owners and individuals.

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management will announce the next steps to legally sell marijuana in stores across the state on Wednesday morning.

Legal marijuana sales in Minnesota will be delayed at least three more months. The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management announced Wednesday it is ending the license preapproval process, instead moving forward with opening a standard licensing cycle.