Minnesota is progressing towards the legal sale and production of cannabis products, with new regulations taking shape at the county level. Cottonwood County has established an ordinance to govern cannabis sales, which most cities in the county are adopting or slightly modifying.
Alex Schultz, the Planning and Zoning Officer for Cottonwood County, explained that cities like Windom and Mt. Lake have made adjustments to the county’s guidelines, particularly regarding the location of cannabis businesses in relation to parks and schools. The state provided a template that has been integrated into the existing county regulations, focusing on land use and the requirements for cannabis enterprises.
To operate legally, cannabis businesses must obtain either a conditional use permit or a standard permit, depending on the zoning of the land they intend to use. This licensing process is expected to be extensive and may incur significant costs for applicants.
As Minnesota moves closer to legalizing cannabis sales, local jurisdictions are actively preparing to implement these new regulations, ensuring that they align with state guidelines while addressing community-specific needs. The complete details on this regulatory framework will be available in the April 23 print and e-editions of the Citizen.
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