Stearns County Commissioners adopted two ordinances regulating cannabis businesses. Those ordinances, now on the Stearns County website, https://www.stearnscountymn.gov/1751, took effect Jan. 1, 2025.
The ordinances, Ordinance #679 (Stearns County Cannabis Events, Retail Business Registration and Compliance Ordinance) and #680 (an Ordinance amending Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance #439) were approved during the Dec. 3, 2024.
Following requirements under state law, the county’s ordinance will allow one cannabis retailer for every 12,500 residents, which equals a maximum of 13 registered businesses in the county’s jurisdiction. Cities and townships can allow additional retailers.
These new regulations also govern the following activities:
• Cannabis cultivation;
• Manufacturing of cannabis-derived products;
• Sales of cannabis-derived products;
• Organizing cannabis-related events.
The ordinances address important considerations, including setbacks from schools, daycares, homes, and parks; outdoor displays and storage; transportation; water and sewer management; waste disposal; hours of operation; crop production; retail sales and wholesale operations; inspections; annual registration and fees; and compliance checks.
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management will handle licensing. County zoning approval and registration of cannabis businesses require preliminary state license approval.
Under Minnesota’s 2023 cannabis legalization law, counties can adopt reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of cannabis business operations, provided these restrictions do not prohibit the establishment or operation of such a business.
For more information, visit the Stearns County website at https://www.stearnscountymn.gov/1751. There, individuals can also sign up to receive email or text notifications when there are updates related to cannabis.
