Minnesota cannabis agency launches grant for communities affected by prohibition

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is launching a new grant that will go to support marginalized communities that have faced challenges under the "War on Drugs."

CanRenew grants

What we know:

The Office of Cannabis Management announced the new program, CanRenew Community Restoration Grants, on Monday.

The total funding for this year, which was part of the Minnesota cannabis legalization bill in 2023, will be up to $1 million. The most a single program can receive is $200,000.

Cannabis officials say investments can be made in a variety of program types, including economic development, public health, violence prevention, youth development, and civil legal aid.

How to apply for CanRenew grants

What you can do:

The funding is available for organizations that serve areas that have residents who meet social equity qualifications – like high cannabis conviction rates, high poverty rates, or median family incomes below 80% of the statewide median.

Organizations that can apply include:

• Nonprofits and community groups
• Federally-recognized tribes
• Educational institutions
• Local government units
• Private business

Applications can be made on the Office of Cannabis Management's website. The deadline to apply is March 24.

What they're saying:

In a provided statement, Office of Cannabis Management Interim Director Eric Taubel wrote: "This grant program is a significant step toward the OCM's aim to establish an inclusive and equitable cannabis ecosystem that creates possibilities for marginalized groups and those affected by the war on drugs. We are thrilled to start this program to assist individuals impacted by previous cannabis prohibitions, and to make sure that we are reinvesting into the communities that have been disproportionally harmed from discriminatory laws."

What's next:

The Office of Cannabis Management will announce grant awardees in the spring.