Olmsted County eyes regulations for local cannabis sales – Post Bulletin
ROCHESTER — Olmsted County commissioners will review proposed updates to local rules anticipating the launch of cannabis retail businesses next year.
“This is probably our last big ordinance change,” County Administrator Travis Gransee said of the proposals being presented during the commissioners meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in board chambers of the city-county Government Center, 151 Fourth St. SE.
The
proposed ordinance changes
stem from the Minnesota Legislature’s 2023 decision to legalize recreational cannabis use by anyone 21 and older.
While state law requires city and counties to allow retail sales, it provides some options for local oversight, which include limiting the number to one retail business for every 12,500 residents, as well as some limits on where and when the businesses can operate.
State guidelines indicate businesses will be licensed by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management with openings delayed until March.
The proposed county ordinance would
limit the number of retailers to 14
within areas under county oversight, which is expected to include
Rochester and any other city that opts to give the county local authority.
The county would require businesses to register once they obtain a state license, with any unregistered business facing a $2,000 penalty if they sell cannabis.
The ordinance also spells out requirements for registering with the county, with the expectation that registrations be renewed on an annual basis, with a $500 fee for the first year and $1,000 charge for each of the following years.
Retailers would see operating hours restricted to 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the option of opening seven days a week. The location of businesses already face city and county restrictions to
areas away from neighborhoods and places where youth gather.
In addition to retail outlets, the proposed ordinance sets up guidelines for temporary events designed to market and sell cannabis. Such events would require measures to check the ages of attendees and limit purchases on the event grounds.
Smoking and vaping of cannabis, as well as alcohol consumption, would be banned at temporary events.
When it comes to enforcing the policies outlined in the ordinance, the responsibility would be shared by the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and Olmsted County Public Works.
Enforcement of retail sale restrictions involving sales to underage residents are expected to mirror the county’s current tobacco efforts, using underage residents to attempt to purchase products. Details regarding the compliance checks remain in the works, but a violation is expected to result in a $300 fine and be considered a petty misdemeanor.
The county also reserves the right to issue a 30-day suspension of a retail registration if the ordinance is violated or a business is determined to pose an immediate threat to the public, which could include sales to people under age 21.
Any suspension of the county registration will be reported to the state’s Office of Cannabis Management, which could lead to additional inspections of the business.
County commissioners will hold a public hearing during their meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in board chambers of the city-county Government Center to hear comments on the proposed ordinance updates before a decision is made regarding the changes.
Randy Petersen joined the Post Bulletin in 2014 and became the local government reporter in 2017. An Elkton native, he’s worked for a variety of Midwest papers as reporter, photographer and editor since graduating from Winona State University in 1996. Readers can reach Randy at 507-285-7709 or rpetersen@postbulletin.com.
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