In a recent press release (1), the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) disclosed its new $2 million CanGrow program , which is aimed at helping farmers “enter and thrive” in the cannabis industry. The new program will provide training grants to eligible organizations and assist farmers in learning the regulations of the legal cannabis industry.
The CanGrow training grant organization recipients will support farmers wishing to begin or continue growing in the industry through training, technical support, and educational materials. The press release mentions (1), “CanGrow farmer loan grants will fund nonprofit organizations to assist farmers by providing low-interest loans for entering the legal cannabis industry. This initiative aims to accelerate market entry and growth for farmers ready to start or expand their farms, avoid costs and risks for farmers at all stages of readiness, and reduce compliance risks, costs, and infractions for cannabis farms.”
“Providing farmers the financial opportunity to participate in Minnesota’s cannabis market and make strategic investments is the best way to ensure they can build equity,” said Eric Taubel, OCM Interim Director (1). “Through CanGrow, farmers who want to enter the cannabis market will receive support and tools to succeed.”
The week prior to the grant initiative, Minnesota formally began using OCM’s rules regarding the adult-use cannabis market. These rules enable OCM to issue business licenses to applicants who have completed all necessary application process steps. As these rules have begun to take effect, hundreds of social equity applicants can obtain business licenses.
As funding grants begin to roll out, per project is anticipated to receive between $10,000 to $50,000 (1). Regarding loan financing, loans may be given for $200,000 to $500,000 per eligible organization and individual farmers may be $2,500 to $50,000 and $150,000 for projects. Minnesota’s CanGrow training grants will be given out to educational institutions, local governments, nonprofit organizations, community groups, private businesses, and partnerships involved with various other types of organizations.
According to the press release (1), the process for organizations that are looking into applying for a CanGrow grant “must submit a written application that explains their proposed community investment, the community's needs, and the expected positive outcomes. Applications will be evaluated based on their potential community impact, the organization’s track record of success, and community support for the investment. Priority will be given to applications from organizations demonstrating a history of successful training or navigation services, particularly for farmers facing barriers to education or employment. OCM will give weight to applications where the proposed grant projects will serve areas where residents are eligible to be social equity applicants.”
Minnesota has other grant programs to help those in the cannabis industry such as CanRenew, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED): CanStartUp, CanNavigate, and CanTrain (1).
“We recognize that financing and resources are critical for Minnesota farmers,” said Jess Jackson, OCM’s director of social equity (1). “CanGrow helps to increase access to ownership by ensuring underserved farmers get a fair opportunity at entering the cannabis market.”
