ST. PAUL — Minnesota’s legal cannabis market took a major step forward Thursday, June 5, as 249 prospective business owners were selected in a highly anticipated license lottery.

The winners — drawn from a live stream hosted by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management — now have the green light to move ahead with licensing to operate as cannabis manufacturers, cultivators, retailers, or mezzo-businesses.

“This is an exciting day for Minnesotans,” said Josh Collins, communications director for the Office of Cannabis Management. “These 249 businesses who are selected in the lottery ... are really now headed off on their final steps that they need to take before they can open their doors.”

Collins said Friday that the state learned from issues faced by others and pivoted away from a poi

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