Minnesota’s journey toward a fully operational adult-use cannabis market reached a historic milestone this week. On Wednesday, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) issued the state’s first-ever recreational cannabis business license. The recipient? Herb Quest LLC, a microbusiness based in Brook Park—a small community in Pine County, roughly 65 miles north of the Twin Cities.
Herb Quest’s license allows the business to cultivate cannabis plants outdoors, officially kicking off Minnesota’s regulated adult-use cannabis cultivation. This pivotal moment signals the beginning of the industry’s rollout and sets the stage for many more businesses to follow.
“With our first licensed cultivator now able to begin growing plants, and more than 600 businesses within the final steps of completing their applications and securing approvals from local governments, we are now seeing the first pieces of Minnesota’s adult-use market fall into place,” said OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel in a statement.
As of the license issuance, a total of 706 applicants across all license categories had received preliminary approval, according to the OCM’s public dashboard. These businesses are now working through final requirements, including securing a compliant business location, meeting all local zoning laws, and passing a pre-licensure inspection.
Earlier this month, OCM held its first license lotteries for both social equity and general applicants seeking cultivator, manufacturer, and mezzo business licenses. A separate general lottery for cannabis retail licenses is scheduled to take place on July 22, offering the next major step in the rollout of the state’s cannabis market.
Microbusiness licenses, like the one Herb Quest received, are unique in that they are not subject to caps under Minnesota’s cannabis law. However, the opportunity to apply for these licenses was limited to a specific application window. In total, OCM received 1,854 microbusiness applications; of those, 124 were either withdrawn or denied.
Notably, certain entities such as tribal cannabis businesses and municipal retailers are exempt from the state’s licensing lotteries, offering them a different pathway into the legal market.
The licensing of Herb Quest marks not just a win for one business, but a significant leap forward for Minnesota’s entire cannabis ecosystem. As the state moves toward full implementation of its adult-use program, this first license sets the tone for a future where legal, regulated cannabis contributes to local economies and expands access for consumers statewide.