Ready to establish your cannabis business in the Midwest’s newest adult-use market?
Minnesota’s cannabis industry is entering its first full year of adult-use sales, and NECANN is bringing its proven B2B conference format to the Midwest for the very first time. For cultivators and processors looking to establish operations in one of America’s newest legal markets, this inaugural event offers critical insights into regulatory compliance, social equity requirements, and operational best practices.
Adult-use retail sales officially launched on September 16-17, 2025, after Governor Walz signed legalization into law in May 2023. With 37 retail licenses operational by September and July 2026 bringing a mandated reassessment of license caps, NECANN Minnesota arrives at a pivotal moment for market entry decisions.
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Minnesota has one of the most robust social equity programs in the nation, with 50% of capped licenses reserved for qualifying applicants.
Whether you’re seeking METRC-integrated compliance systems, evaluating cultivation management platforms for Minnesota’s climate-specific challenges, or exploring social equity partnership opportunities, NECANN Minnesota brings together the decision-makers shaping the future of Midwest cannabis operations under one roof.
NECANN Minnesota 2026 at a Glance 🇺🇸
Dates May 14-15, 2026 (Thu 10am-4pm, Fri 10am-3pm)
Location Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
Expected Attendance 5,000+ professionals, 120+ exhibitors
Official Website necann.com/minnesota-convention
Confirmed Last verified: January 2, 2026
Minneapolis
44.98°N 93.27°W Who Should Attend NECANN Minnesota
NECANN Minnesota targets professionals navigating the unique challenges of a brand-new adult-use market. Whether you’re establishing new operations or expanding from neighboring states, this inaugural event delivers actionable connections.
Cultivators entering Minnesota’s climate-specific growing environment with 30,000 sq ft indoor canopy limits
Processors and manufacturers understanding extraction compliance and potency limits
Compliance officers implementing METRC seed-to-sale tracking in a newly launched market
Investors evaluating a market projected to reach $430M in 2026 sales
Social equity applicants navigating Minnesota’s 50% license reservation program
Technology vendors offering compliance solutions to 1,300+ newly licensed operations
Why NECANN Minnesota Matters in 2026
Minnesota’s cannabis landscape has transformed dramatically. Adult-use retail sales officially launched on September 16-17, 2025, after Governor Walz signed legalization into law in May 2023. The state issued its first cannabis business license in June 2025, and by September, 37 retail licenses were operational.
This is NECANN’s inaugural Minnesota event, marking the organization’s first expansion into the Midwest market after 12 years of successful East Coast conventions. More significantly, July 2026 brings a mandated reassessment of license caps, meaning OCM will evaluate whether to expand beyond the current limits of 50 cultivator licenses, 24 manufacturer licenses, 150 retailer licenses, and 100 mezzobusiness licenses.
Minnesota’s cannabis market is projected to reach $430 million in sales by year-end 2026, with $1.5 billion potential by 2029.
MJBiz Factbook / Vicente LLP, 2025Planning Your NECANN Minnesota Trip
Whether you’re attending NECANN’s first Midwest event or returning to expand your network, these practical tips will help you maximize your conference experience.
🏨 Accommodation
- Book 4-6 weeks in advance; downtown Minneapolis hotels fill quickly during major events
- North Loop and Mill District neighborhoods offer walkable options with restaurant access
- Blue Line light rail connects directly to MSP Airport (approximately 25-minute ride)
- Minneapolis Convention Center is centrally located in downtown Minneapolis
📆 Schedule Overview
- Thursday, May 14: Exhibit hall 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday, May 15: Exhibit hall 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Educational sessions throughout both days with networking breaks
- Box office opens at 9:30 AM daily (cash only); all tickets non-refundable
✈️ Getting to Minneapolis
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) – Blue Line to downtown
- Rideshare services operate reliably throughout the metro area
- US visitors: Valid ID required (21+ for entry)
- Venue offers paid parking; downtown garages may be more economical for multi-day
🎪 If You’re Exhibiting
- Submit booth application early through shows.map-dynamics.com
- Speaker applications accepted through app.sessionboard.com
- Photography on exhibit floor requires permission; videotaping of speakers prohibited
- Cannabis products, sales, and consumption NOT permitted at venue
Minnesota Regulatory Context
Key Regulatory Topics at NECANN Minnesota
- METRC Seed-to-Sale Tracking: Monthly support fees of $40 per licensee, plant tags at $0.45 and package tags at $0.25 each, with 30-day inventory entry requirement for new licensees
- Social Equity License Reservation: 50% of capped licenses reserved for qualifying applicants; June 2025 lottery distributed 249 licenses to 776 applicants
- License Cap Reassessment: July 2026 mandated review of cultivator (50), manufacturer (24), retailer (150), and mezzobusiness (100) license caps
- Testing Laboratory Transition: Starting January 1, 2026, all testing must be performed by OCM-licensed laboratories with ISO 17025 accreditation
Understanding Minnesota’s regulatory environment is essential for any operator considering market entry or expansion. The Office of Cannabis Management oversees one of the nation’s newest compliance frameworks, with particular emphasis on social equity participation and METRC integration.
Related: Seed to Sale Software🏛️ Minnesota’s New Cannabis Frontier
Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize recreational cannabis when Governor Tim Walz signed House File 100 into law on May 30, 2023. The state’s cannabis program launched adult-use sales in September 2025 under the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), featuring one of the nation’s most comprehensive social equity frameworks and pioneering tribal-state partnerships. Understanding these unique market dynamics is critical for operators attending NECANN Minnesota 2026.
Key Facts for NECANN Minnesota Attendees
- ✓ HF 100 Legalization: Governor Walz signed comprehensive 300+ page legalization bill May 30, 2023; personal possession/cultivation legal August 1, 2023
- ✓ OCM Oversight: Office of Cannabis Management oversees licensing, METRC seed-to-sale tracking, and social equity programs with $36.35M FY2026 budget
- ✓ METRC Tracking Required: All cannabis tracked from seed to sale using METRC; $40/month support fee, $0.45 plant tags, $0.25 package tags
- ✓ 50% Social Equity Allocation: Half of all capped licenses reserved for qualifying applicants; June 2025 lottery awarded 249 licenses to 776 applicants
- ✓ Tribal Cannabis Pioneer: Minnesota signed first-in-nation compact recognizing tribal authority to regulate cannabis off tribal land; White Earth Nation and Mille Lacs Band have active operations
- ✓ September 2025 Sales Launch: Adult-use retail sales began September 16-17, 2025 with 37 retail licenses operational
- ✓ July 2026 License Review: Mandated reassessment of license caps (50 cultivator, 24 manufacturer, 150 retailer, 100 mezzobusiness) based on market demand
💡 Did You Know?
Minnesota pioneered tribal-state cannabis partnerships, signing the first compact in the nation recognizing tribal authority to regulate cannabis businesses off tribal land. White Earth Nation and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe have active operations, with tribal retailers operating approximately one year ahead of state-licensed competitors. This creates unique partnership and market dynamics for operators entering the Minnesota market.
What This Means for NECANN Minnesota Attendees
The convergence of Minnesota’s first full year of adult-use sales, the July 2026 license cap reassessment, and robust social equity programming creates significant market entry opportunities. Attendees should prepare to discuss cultivation versus microbusiness licensing strategies, social equity partnerships to access the reserved 50% of capped licenses, METRC-integrated compliance systems, and whether to participate in the parallel lower-potency hemp edible (LPHE) market alongside cannabis operations.
Note: Cannabis regulations evolve rapidly. This information is for educational purposes only and should be verified with current OCM guidance.
Operational Challenges Facing Minnesota Cannabis Operators
Cannabis businesses entering Minnesota’s newly launched market encounter operational complexities that require significant planning and system adaptation. Conference attendees frequently discuss these common challenges:
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New Market METRC Implementation
Implementing METRC seed-to-sale tracking from scratch in a newly launched market, with 30-day inventory entry requirements for new licensees and closed-loop sourcing requirements effective December 2025
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Testing Laboratory Capacity
Managing potential supply chain bottlenecks as testing capacity expands; all testing must be performed by OCM-licensed laboratories with ISO 17025 accreditation starting January 2026
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Social Equity Partnership Structures
Navigating complex partnership requirements to access the 50% of capped licenses reserved for social equity applicants while complying with ownership restrictions
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Climate-Specific Cultivation
Optimizing indoor cultivation operations for Minnesota’s climate within 30,000 sq ft canopy limits while preparing for potential license cap expansion in July 2026
What to Prepare Before NECANN Minnesota
Maximize your conference ROI by arriving prepared. Use this checklist to ensure you’re ready to make the most of every networking opportunity and business meeting.
📄 Documents to Bring
- Current license applications or preliminary approval documentation
- METRC integration specifications from your existing software vendors
- Social equity qualification documentation (if applicable)
- Business plan summary for potential investor conversations
- Compliance SOP outlines for review with technology vendors
- Current cultivation or processing capacity documentation
❓ Questions to Ask Vendors
- How does your platform integrate with METRC Minnesota specifically?
- What is your experience with new market implementations?
- How do you handle Minnesota’s unique microbusiness/mezzobusiness license structures?
- What training and onboarding timeline should we expect?
- Can you demonstrate compliance with Minnesota’s packaging and labeling requirements?
- Do you have case studies from other new market launches?
📊 What to Compare
- METRC integration depth and automated reporting capabilities
- Support for Minnesota’s testing laboratory transition timeline
- Scalability for July 2026 license cap reassessment scenarios
- Social equity business support features
- Cold-climate cultivation tracking specific to Minnesota’s growing conditions
- Compliance automation reducing manual reporting burden
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from cannabis professionals planning to attend NECANN Minnesota 2026.
Is NECANN Minnesota open to the public or B2B only?
NECANN Minnesota is primarily a B2B industry event focused on networking among licensed operators, prospective licensees, vendors, and industry professionals. General public attendance is permitted with standard admission tickets, but the content and exhibitors target commercial cannabis operations.
Is this NECANN’s first Minnesota event?
Yes. NECANN Minnesota 2026 marks the organization’s inaugural expansion into the Midwest market. NECANN has operated successful cannabis conventions since 2014, primarily in Northeast markets including Boston, Vermont, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Is the event 21+ only?
Yes, attendees must be 21 years of age or older to enter the convention. Valid government-issued ID is required.
What are ticket prices for NECANN Minnesota 2026?
Specific pricing has not yet been published as of January 2026. Attendee registration is marked as “Coming Soon” on the official website. Exhibitor registration is currently open. Cash tickets will be available at the venue box office.
Can I purchase or consume cannabis at the event?
No. Cannabis products, sales, distribution, and consumption are strictly prohibited at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This is a networking and education event only.
What is the registration deadline?
Registration deadlines have not been announced. Monitor necann.com/minnesota-convention for updates. Speaker applications are currently being accepted through SessionBoard.
Software Solutions for Minnesota Compliance
Operating in Minnesota requires seed-to-sale software that handles METRC integration seamlessly while supporting the complexities of new market implementation, microbusiness/mezzobusiness license structures, and the upcoming July 2026 license cap reassessment. These systems help operators maintain audit-ready records across cultivation, processing, and distribution activities.
GrowerIQ provides native METRC integration for Minnesota cannabis tracking compliance, multi-facility management supporting various license structures, batch tracking from seed through sale, and compliance automation reducing manual reporting burden.
Ready to Simplify Your Cannabis Compliance?
See how cannabis facilities in Minnesota use GrowerIQ to manage seed-to-sale traceability, METRC integration, and regulatory reporting.
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About GrowerIQ
GrowerIQ is a complete cannabis production management platform. Ours is the first platform to integrate your facility systems, including sensors, building controls, QMS, and ERP, into a single simplified interface.
GrowerIQ is changing the way producers use software - transforming a regulatory requirement into a robust platform to learn, analyze, and improve performance.
To find out more about GrowerIQ and how we can help, fill out the form to the right, start a chat, or contact us.
GrowerIQ is changing the way producers use software - transforming a regulatory requirement into a robust platform to learn, analyze, and improve performance.
To find out more about GrowerIQ and how we can help, fill out the form to the right, start a chat, or contact us.