Olmsted County opened the application period for its cannabis retail business registration lottery. Beginning August 11, 2025, interested business representatives had 10 business days to submit their applications. The application window closed at 5 p.m. on August 22, 2025.
This lottery was focused solely on retail business registrations and followed the closure of application periods for both microbusiness and mezzobusiness registrations. According to state regulations, Olmsted County could authorize one cannabis business registration for every 12,500 residentsâallowing for 14 licenses. Of these, up to four could be designated for retail businesses.
If Olmsted County received more applications than the allotted four registration slots, a public lottery took place to determine which applicants would receive a retail business registration. The drawing was conducted by Olmsted County Elections employees using a randomâselection method. The time, date, and location of the lottery were announced on the county's website at least two weeks in advance.
Applicants did not need to attend the drawing in person, but each had to submit a complete application and pay the required lottery fee before the August 22 deadline to be included.
To be eligible for a retail business registration, applicants must meet several requirements: they must submit a complete registration lottery application by 5 p.m. on August 22, 2025, successfully complete a background check through the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, and provide proof of a pending state-level retail business license application. Additionally, they must demonstrate that a business location is secured and available for use upon receiving a county registration and submit all relevant business formation documents.
Applicants may not submit multiple retail business applications under different names or entities if they have any overlapping ownership or affiliations. Each applicant must attest, under penalty of perjury, that they are not connected to any other application submitted for a cannabis business registration in Olmsted County.
A non-refundable $100 lottery application fee must accompany each retail business application.
In addition to the primary retail business selections, Olmsted County will draw three alternate applicants. An alternate will be selected only if a primary applicant is unable to secure a state license or open a qualifying location within six months of the lottery or 90 days if an extension is granted.
Source: Olmsted Government
