Minnesota cannabis business licenses resold as regulators dawdle

OG article by MJBizDaily Staff

October 28, 2025

Frustration is mounting in Minnesota’s emerging cannabis market as slow regulatory progress has led some early license winners to resell their approvals on the secondary market.

With full adult-use sales still delayed, provisional licensees—originally selected via a lottery system—are flipping their permits for significant profits, sometimes in the six figures.

Critics argue the state’s cautious rollout has created a speculative bubble, while supporters say resale activity reflects strong market confidence.

The Office of Cannabis Management has yet to issue final operating licenses, leaving retailers, cultivators, and investors in limbo nearly two years after legalization.