CLOQUET — The Cloquet City Council voted 5-2 on Tuesday to limit cannabis sales in the city to the business district along Minnesota Highway 33. This decision comes after two other proposals to expand sales to more areas failed to gain support.
Council members Kerry Kolodge and Lyz Jaakola opposed the measure, which is seen as even more restrictive than a previous proposal that resulted in a tie vote at the last council meeting. Councilor Lara Wilkinson expressed optimism about future adjustments, stating, “We have a starting point and can revisit the parameters at any time.”
The urgency of passing this zoning ordinance stems from the upcoming license lottery by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, scheduled for June 5. This lottery will determine which cannabis businesses can operate in Cloquet, but they must first receive local zoning compliance certification.
Under the new ordinance, cannabis businesses fall into three categories: cannabis retail businesses that sell cannabis products, non-retail cannabis businesses for production or distribution, and lower-potency hemp retail businesses, which include edibles and beverages. Non-retail cannabis businesses are permitted to operate in industrial zones, while lower-potency hemp can be sold citywide.
The council’s discussions focused primarily on where cannabis retail businesses could be located. An earlier proposal would have allowed retail shops in downtown Cloquet and along Highway 33, but this plan was rejected. Councilor Iris Keller raised concerns about the proximity of dispensaries to residential areas, arguing that downtown Cloquet is one of the city’s most densely populated regions.
Jaakola’s attempt to introduce a resolution to permit retail cannabis shops in the struggling West End business district also failed, facing opposition from Mayor Roger Maki and other council members.
City Administrator Tim Peterson emphasized the need for the ordinance to be approved quickly to comply with the state’s licensing timeline, suggesting that the council could amend the regulations later as needed. Councilor Chris Swanson echoed this sentiment, indicating that the council would have opportunities to adjust the ordinance over time.
As the council prepares for legal cannabis sales, future meetings will likely address licensing, buffer zones around cannabis shops, and necessary background checks. Cloquet plans to adopt the cannabis consumption regulations set forth by Carlton County, which prohibits public consumption of cannabis.
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