The Minnesota Cannabis Growers Cooperative and Industry Council (MCGCIC), representing over 200 members, stands as the voice of small, local stakeholders in the cannabis industry. Our collective embodies the core of a craft, equity-focused cannabis market that our state's legalization laws explicitly aim to foster.
With respect to the OCM’s proposed legislation–particularly the mechanisms of lottery for licensing and imposing license caps–we recognize these as complex issues with significant trade-offs. These proposed changes aim to streamline the process and reduce litigation risks, potentially speeding up market entry. However, it's vital that these adjustments do not compromise the law's intent to prioritize local, equitable participation. We believe careful consideration and collaborative refinement of these proposed changes are necessary to ensure they effectively serve our community's needs without compromising the integrity and objectives of Minnesota's cannabis legalization efforts.
We're also acutely aware of the potential influence of well-funded, out-of-state interests. These groups stand ready to shape the legislation to their advantage, potentially sidelining the very Minnesotans our law seeks to uplift. The MCGCIC is dedicated to ensuring that the decisions on whether and how to transition to a lottery system or impose license caps are informed by the input of the intended beneficiaries of our legalization law, not external entities eyeing our market. It's crucial that the final framework for licensing and market regulation emerges from the collective wisdom of local stakeholders.
We look forward to a collaborative effort with the OCM and state legislators to safeguard our industry and serve our community's goals and needs.
This is important info… the stakeholders in the newly forming market should be voices of the community, including farmers, small business owners, and the folks that will make the market work. Thanks for sharing!