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2 <br />applicants should not complete site registration until they have received confirmation that they <br />have met all applicable requirements for local zoning approval, are compliant with state fire <br />and building codes, and if applicable, and are less than 90 days from being able to open <br />their doors. <br />3. Once you have completed and submitted the online forms, you will receive PDFs of your <br />final plans of record via email that must be uploaded to the Office of Cannabis Management <br />(OCM) through Accela. OCM will forward your application to the local government indicated on <br />your application. <br /> <br />4. Local government zoning compliance certification. Local governments have 30 days to <br />certify that your application complies with zoning and land use ordinances. Important: be sure <br />to engage early with your local government so that you understand their timelines and process <br />for local zoning compliance certification. OCM recommends that preliminarily approved <br />applicants wait until all the required items for local approval have been met with their local <br />government before they submit their site registration. These requirements may include <br />conditional use permits (CUPs), fire/building code inspections, and local retail registration. <br />Additionally, be sure to remain in close communication with the local government to ensure <br />that they are prepared to review your application. Please review the guidance for local <br />governments regarding zoning compliance certification located here: https://mn.gov/ocm/local- <br />governments/localgovs.jsp for awareness on what local governments will be required to <br />complete for this stage. <br /> <br />5. Site inspection. After receiving local zoning compliance certification, OCM will schedule a <br />pre-opening site inspection to verify that your physical location complies with all applicable <br />laws and rules. <br /> <br />6. Pay license fee. Upon a successful site inspection, you will be able to pay the required <br />license fee through Accela. Once payment is received, OCM will issue your cannabis business <br />license with the appropriate endorsements. <br /> <br />Important note: Local Retail Registration (only for license types engaging in retail direct to <br />consumers) <br /> <br />If your license involves retail sales, you must obtain a local retail registration – in addition to your <br />cannabis business license - from your local government before commencing any retail sales. Per a <br />new law change effective May 2025, local governments are allowed to issue retail registration to an <br />applicant with either preliminary approval status or a cannabis business license. Please engage with <br />your local government early to understand the approval process for local retail registrations which is <br />determined by each local government. <br /> <br />The licensing guidebook detailing the above steps is available on the OCM licensing webpage ; <br />please review the information carefully. The guidebook contains important information about how to <br />successfully complete the licensing process and also includes several suggestions about working on <br />securing local approvals for zoning compliance and local retail registration. T he From Start to <br />License: Your Path to Cannabis Licensing in Minnesota graphic provides an overview of licensing <br />steps. You should also review Minnesota Statutes Chapter 342 and the Rules Relating to Adult-Use <br />Cannabis for more information about all statutory requirements. <br />