Guide To Building A Minnesota Cannabis Business Post-Lottery

How To Get Your Cannabis Business Operational After A License Win 

The Minnesota cannabis licensing lottery was held on June 5 — and if your name was drawn, congratulations! Go ahead, pop some infused champagne— you’ve earned it. Winning a retail, cultivation, manufacturing, or mezzobusiness license in a highly competitive space like Minnesota’s cannabis market is a big deal. 

But once the bubbles settle, it’s time to get to work. The lottery win doesn’t guarantee you a cannabis business — it permits you a chance to build one. And the path from winning to opening your doors is complex, tightly regulated, and full of critical steps. 

At Canna Advisors, we’ve helped cannabis clients across the country turn winning tickets into fully operational businesses. Here’s how to take your Minnesota cannabis license from lottery win to launch. 

 

Step One: Know the Business Development Road Ahead 

To help you visualize the journey, we’ve created a simplified applicant flow chart — one that avoids the Candyland confusion while outlining the process to launch a cannabis business in Minnesota. Each of these stages is critical — and each comes with its own set of state requirements requirements, expected timelines, and potential pitfalls. 

 

Minnesota Cannabis Licensing Process Roadmap:

 

1) Social Equity Verified Applicant or Standard Applicant Submits Application

You submitted a cannabis licensing application

 

2) License Applicant Becomes Qualified Applicant 

You were selected in the lottery or otherwise approved)  

 

3) Qualified Applicant Becomes Preliminarily Approved Applicant  

Background check and Labor Peace Agreement (LPA) were approved)

 

4) Final Plans of Record (FPR) To Be Checked  

Your cannabis facility diagram matches your facility, and your plans align with your future cannabis business operation

 

5) Cannabis Facility/Site Registration   

You submitted you Final Plans of Record, including an accurate diagram

 

6) Cannabis Facility/Site Are Inspected   

You spoke to your cannabis inspection officer, and your Final Plans of Record have been approved

 

7) Final Licensure & Cannabis Business Becomes Operational

Your doors are open and your cannabis business has been launched. You made it

 

8) Future Business Expansion  

You add retail (dispensary) location(s), endorsements, or plant cultivation canopy square footage after inspection

  

Step Two: Update and Submit Your Final Plans of Record 

After the license lottery, you’ll need to submit your Final Plans of Record (FPR) — this is essentially a refreshed and more detailed version of your original cannabis application. Why? Because the regulations have been finalized since the application round, and the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) now expects significantly more detailed narratives and documentation. 

Requirements for Final Plans of Record include:

1. Overviews – Written narratives outlining how your business will operate compliantly under finalized rules 
2. Facility Design – A facility diagram that matches your actual site 
3. Business Plans – Updated operational plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and inventory controls 

This is no small task. Many applicants underestimate the complexity of updating these plans — a mistake that can delay your progress or cost you your place in line. 

 

Step Three: Get Ready to Build Your Cannabis Facility 

Once your FPR is approved, it’s go-time for cannabis facility buildout. That means: 

1. Final Design – Having your building design finalized and compliant 
2. Build Prep – Contractors lined up and ready to go 
3. Timelines – Understanding your timeline and milestones for getting your facility ready for inspection 

Your buildout timeline can make or break your ability to get to market before your competitors — especially in a limited-license environment like Minnesota. 

 

Step Four: Secure and Deploy Funding 

Buildout isn’t just about bricks and mortar — it’s about capital. You’ll need: 

1. Financial Strategy – A detailed financial strategy and long-term understanding of Minnesota’s current/potential market
2. Secured Funding – Confidence in your funding sources 
3. Expense Breakdown – A clear picture of business and operational expenses for at least the next twelve (12) months  

Whether it’s equity investors, lenders, or self-funding, now’s the time to tap into those resources and begin executing your financial plan. 

 

Step Five: Build Your Cannabis Supply Chain and Local Business Connections  

Now is also the time to start building out your cannabis supply chain — and that means networking. Cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers will all play a role in your future operations. The strongest Minnesota cannabis businesses will be those with the deepest relationships across the market. 

Last, and certainly not least of all, don’t forget Minnesota’s local government compliance. Zoning approvals, distancing requirements, and retail-specific registration (if you’re opening a dispensary) all need to be buttoned up. 

 

Final Thoughts: You’re at the Starting Line — Win the Race To Business Launch 

At Canna Advisors, we’ve provided expert guidance to pre-operational cannabis businesses across the country and especially in the Midwest. Minnesota’s post-lottery process is complex, but it’s also an incredible opportunity — especially for early movers who are prepared to act. 

If you need help updating your application, finalizing compliant facility designs, building your financial model, or managing the licensing process from here, our team is ready to support you. 

 

We Can Turn Your License Win Into A Working Cannabis Business — The Right Way

Whether you’re navigating FPRs, zoning approvals, financial plans, or buildout timelines, we’re here to help. Contact our team or book an hourly slot to schedule a consultation today.