Social Equity Program
Track Minnesota's cannabis social equity program metrics, eligibility criteria, and progress toward creating an equitable industry.
Why Social Equity Matters
Cannabis prohibition disproportionately impacted communities of color and low-income Minnesotans. The social equity program aims to ensure these communities benefit from legalization by providing pathways to business ownership and economic opportunity.
SE Licenses
176
SE Percentage
43.1%
Total Licenses
408
Target
50%
Program Goals
Progress toward equity license targets
Current SE Share
43.1%
Target
50%
176
SE Licenses
408
Total Licenses
Social Equity Licenses
Approved social equity applicants
43.1%
176 of 408 licenses
Social Equity Growth Over Time
Monthly SE license approvals
Eligibility Criteria
Who qualifies for social equity status in Minnesota
Geographic Impact
Lived in a Minnesota zip code with cannabis arrest rates higher than the state average for 5+ years
Cannabis Conviction
You, a parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, or dependent had a cannabis-related conviction in Minnesota
Income Eligibility
Household income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level
Veteran Status
Veteran with an honorable discharge who meets income or geographic criteria
Note: Applicants must meet at least one of the above criteria and provide documentation during the application process. Social equity applicants receive priority in the licensing lottery.
Program Benefits
Support provided to social equity applicants
Lottery Priority
First draw in each license lottery round
Reduced Fees
Up to 50% reduction in license application fees
Technical Assistance
Free business planning and compliance support
Loan Programs
Access to low-interest state financing programs
Training Programs
Free training on cannabis operations and compliance
Mentorship
Pairing with experienced cannabis business operators
Resources & Support
Get help with your application
How to use and cite this data
Charts should be read with their displayed period, unit, and update date. OCM sales and licensing data can be revised after initial publication. MN Cannabis Hub preserves verified monthly history, labels unavailable values instead of estimating them, and separates issued licenses from confirmed open storefronts. When citing a figure, include the month and source shown beside it.
- Minnesota OCM Cannabis Market Monitor
Official monthly sales, product, cultivation, and market measures.
Checked September 7, 2026
- Minnesota OCM business licenses
Official counts by license type. A license is not automatically an open storefront.
Checked September 7, 2026
- State of the Market reports
Monthly analysis that connects official figures with openings, legislation, and market context.
Checked September 7, 2026
- Editorial and corrections policy
Our sourcing hierarchy, corrections process, and treatment of estimates.
Checked September 7, 2026
Related research
- Cannabis banking
Banks and credit unions named in public sources as serving Minnesota cannabis businesses, marked by how well each claim is verified. Not an endorsement list.
- Cannabis aid by county
How much cannabis tax aid each Minnesota county received in 2024 and 2025, from Department of Revenue certifications, with a map and free CSV.