ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Ramsey County judge on Monday halted a planned lottery to award the first cannabis licenses on Tuesday, a setback for state regulators as they ramp up towards legal sales next year.

Rejected social equity license applicants have sued, arguing the process was unclear and had no opportunity for appeal.

A Ramsey County, Minnesota, judge on Monday delayed the state’s Office of Cannabis Management’s social equity lottery — a day before it was scheduled to take place — after several people alleged they were unlawfully denied from participating in it.

Tuesday's much-anticipated lottery to narrow the number of applicants for a cannabis license in Minnesota has been put on hold.

Ramsey County District Court Judge Stephen Smith sided with a group of applicants who had been denied access to the social equity pre-approval lottery

The lottery will preapprove cannabis licenses for verified businesses, with general licensing anticipated for next year.

Two lawsuits, filed against the Office of Cannabis Management, are aiming to stop a lottery for cannabis licenses in.

State lawyers suggest state could be forced to cancel social equity process and lottery, with all applicants put into same lottery next year.

Minnesota’s cannabis license pre-approval lottery scheduled for Tuesday is on hold. At least ten applicants filed a lawsuit against the Office of Cannabis Management, saying the state inappropriately rejected applicants.

A Minnesota judge has paused the cannabis license lottery, initially set for Tuesday, Nov. 26, after Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management approved about two-thirds of about 1,800 applicants for 280 licenses,