News Release
Oct. 27, 2023
Office of Cannabis Management takes next steps in implementation and licensing development
St. Paul, MN: Today, the Office of Cannabis of Management (OCM) marked another milestone in the work to stand up the new agency and develop the operational and regulatory systems to oversee Minnesota’s new cannabis industry.
Executed contracts were finalized over the past few weeks to deploy the licensing application systems and to provide project management support. Carahsoft Technology Group will serve as the prime contractor for the licensing system and has proposed utilizing Accela software. The software will provide a web-based portal to allow cannabis businesses to collaborate with the OCM on all aspects of the regulated industry, from business registration and renewal, to audit and compliance functions. Cannabis Public Policy Consulting (CPPC) will provide project management support for all aspects of implementation, including conducting original market research, scoping an equity-centric community engagement plan, and developing and streamlining application, licensing, and other implementation-related processes.
“These two contracts move us closer to our goal of licensing growers and businesses in 2025 and building out a safe cannabis marketplace,” said Charlene Briner, interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management. “Many talented people have been working hard since the cannabis legalization bill was signed into law in May. Both contracts will inform and strengthen our staff’s critical implementation work, set us up for a broad and inclusive engagement process, and build the effective IT systems we’ll need to begin taking license applications.”
Accela provides a license application system. The company works with governments across the globe on digital transformation and service delivery, including permitting, licensing, and code enforcement solutions.
CPPC was established by public health professionals and former regulators. The organization currently partners on cannabis implementation and policy related projects with the cannabis agencies of Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Seneca Nation, Virginia, and others.
The OCM will be launching the initial round of rulemaking engagement next week. Sign up for updates on the process on the OCM website.
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Media contact: Peter Raeker
651-539-3003
peter.raeker@state.mn.us