Saint Paul, MN- This week, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced its new plan to launch Minnesota’s cannabis industry following a Ramsey County District Court judge’s decision to stay the cannabis license preapproval lottery originally scheduled for Nov. 26. The announcement comes on the heels of a court order to pause the social equity license lottery despite a productive application process.
The Minnesota House POCI, whose members fought for the social equity provisions of the bill, released the following statement:
“Over the past biennium, our caucus has engaged deeply with members of our BIPOC community, listening to their experiences of systemic racism and their ongoing advocacy for their loved ones. The intent of this law was clear: to empower those most harmed by the ‘war on drugs’ campaign by giving them priority access to the burgeoning cannabis market. This misguided campaign was a devasting failure and led to mass incarceration, the erosion of civil liberties, and the destruction of countless lives, disproportionately targeting and harming Black Americans. Nearly 52 years since this senseless campaign, Black men, in particular, are still arrested, convicted, and imprisoned for drug offenses at far higher rates than their white counterparts.
“The social equity provisions of this legislation were thoughtfully designed to empower those most harmed by this historical injustice, providing them with priority access to the burgeoning cannabis market. The preapproval lottery was intended to level the playing field, empowering the most prepared social equity applicants to overcome systemic barriers and lead the market’s development. It is unfortunate that recent events have cast a shadow on this well-intentioned effort and stifled the advocates, families, and loved ones of the people wrongfully harmed. The House POCI Caucus is steadfast in its dedication to ensuring that the hard work invested in this process continues to prioritize equity and mitigate the harms experienced by marginalized communities that have been disproportionately impacted.”
###