Olmsted County Tables Hearing for Marijuana Retailer Moratorium
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners have kicked the can down the road regarding a potential moratorium on marijuana retailers.
The board made the decision during their meeting on Tuesday, the same day recreational use and possession of marijuana became legal in Minnesota. The meeting included an agenda item that set an August 15 public hearing on a moratorium on new cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas of the county until 2025 or after the county adopts new policies and regulations dealing with marijuana businesses.
The commissioners decided to hold off on taking any action until they can study the issue more thoroughly. Under the new Minnesota law, licenses to operate cannabis dispensaries and related businesses will be issued by the soon-to-be formed State Office of Cannabis Management.
The new bureaucracy is not expected to be fully operational until late 2024. State law prohibits local governments from establishing rules that regulate the locations of the businesses, their hours of operation, signage, and other related issues.
The public use of cannabis products is already covered under Olmsted County's smoking ordinance. Locations, where smoking or vaping tobacco products are already prohibited, are also off-limits to anyone smoking or vaping cannabis products.
The moratorium was recommended by county staff and followed a vote by the Rochester City Council last week to implement a moratorium on new cannabis businesses until 2025.
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